Covid-19: politicisation, “corruption,” and suppression of science by BMJ

When good science is suppressed by the medical-political complex, people diePoliticians and governments are suppressing science. They do so in the public interest, they say, to accelerate availability of diagnostics and treatments. They do so to support innovation, to bring products to market at unprecedented speed. Both of these reasons are partly plausible; the greatest deceptions are founded in a grain of truth. But the underlying behaviour is troubling.Science is being suppressed for political and financial gain. Covid-19 has unleashed state corruption on a grand scale, and it is harmful to public health.1 Politicians and industry are responsible for this opportunistic embezzlement. So too are scientists and health experts. The pandemic has revealed how the medical-political complex can be manipulated in an emergency—a time when it is even more important to safeguard science.The UK’s pandemic response provides at least four examples of suppression of science or scientists. First, the membership, research, and deliberations of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) were initially secret until a press leak forced transparency.2 The leak revealed inappropriate involvement of government advisers in SAGE, while exposing under-representation from public health, clinical care, women, and ethnic minorities. Indeed, the government was also recently ordered to release a 2016 report on deficiencies in pandemic preparedness, Operation Cygnus, following a verdict from the Information Commissioner’s Office.34Next, a Public Health England report on covid-19 and inequalities. The report’s publication was delayed by England’s Department of Health; a section on ethnic minorities was initially withheld and then, following a public outcry, was published as part of a follow-up report.56 Authors from Public Health England were instructed not to talk to the media. Third, on 15 October, the editor of the Lancet complained that an author of a research paper, a UK government scientist, was blocked by the government from speaking to media because of a “difficult political landscape.”7Now, a new example concerns the controversy over point-of-care antibody testing for covid-19.8 The prime minister’s Operation Moonshot depends on immediate and wide availability of accurate rapid diagnostic tests.9 It also depends on the questionable logic of mass screening—currently being trialled in Liverpool with a suboptimal PCR test.1011The incident relates to research published this week by The BMJ, which finds that the government procured an antibody test that in real world tests falls well short of performance claims made by its manufacturers.1213 Researchers from Public Health England and collaborating institutions sensibly pushed to publish their study findings before the government committed to buying a million of these tests but were blocked by the health department and the prime minister’s office.14 Why was it important to procure this product without due scrutiny? Prior publication of research on a preprint server or a government website is compatible with The BMJ’s publication policy. As if to prove a point, Public Health England then unsuccessfully attempted to block The BMJ’s press release about the research paper.Politicians often claim to follow the science, but that is a misleading oversimplification. Science is rarely absolute. It rarely applies to every setting or every population. It doesn’t make sense to slavishly follow science or evidence. A better approach is for politicians, the publicly appointed decision makers, to be informed and guided by science when they decide policy for their public. But even that approach retains public and professional trust only if science is available for scrutiny and free of political interference, and if the system is transparent and not compromised by conflicts of interest.Suppression of science and scientists is not new or a peculiarly British phenomenon. In the US, President Trump’s government manipulated the Food and Drug Administration to hastily approve unproved drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir.15 Globally, people, policies, and procurement are being corrupted by political and commercial agendas.16The UK’s pandemic response relies too heavily on scientists and other government appointees with worrying competing interests, including shareholdings in companies that manufacture covid-19 diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines.17 Government appointees are able to ignore or cherry pick science—another form of misuse—and indulge in anti-competitive practices that favour their own products and those of friends and associates.18How might science be safeguarded in these exceptional times? The first step is full disclosure of competing interests from government, politicians, scientific advisers, and appointees, such as the heads of test and trace, diagnostic test procurement, and vaccine delivery. The next step is full transparency about decision making systems, processes, and knowing who is accountable for what.Once transparency and accountability are established as norms, individuals employed by government should ideally only work in areas unrelated to their competing interests. Expertise is possible without competing interests. If such a strict rule becomes impractical, minimum good practice is that people with competing interests must not be involved in decisions on products and policies in which they have a financial interest.Governments and industry must also stop announcing critical science policy by press release. Such ill judged moves leave science, the media, and stock markets vulnerable to manipulation. Clear, open, and advance publication of the scientific basis for policy, procurements, and wonder drugs is a fundamental requirement.19The stakes are high for politicians, scientific advisers, and government appointees. Their careers and bank balances may hinge on the decisions that they make. But they have a higher responsibility and duty to the public. Science is a public good. It doesn’t need to be followed blindly, but it does need to be fairly considered. Importantly, suppressing science, whether by delaying publication, cherry picking favourable research, or gagging scientists, is a danger to public health, causing deaths by exposing people to unsafe or ineffective interventions and preventing them from benefiting from better ones. When entangled with commercial decisions it is also maladministration of taxpayers’ money.Politicisation of science was enthusiastically deployed by some of history’s worst autocrats and dictators, and it is now regrettably commonplace in democracies.20 The medical-political complex tends towards suppression of science to aggrandise and enrich those in power. And, as the powerful become more successful, richer, and further intoxicated with power, the inconvenient truths of science are suppressed. When good science is suppressed, people die.FootnotesCompeting interests: I have read and understood BMJ policy on declaration of interests and have no relevant interests to declare.Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewedk for use in accordance with BMJ's website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

#WAD2020 is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”

World AIDS Day on 1 December brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread a awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Having achieved the global target reversing the spread of HIV, world leaders have set the 2020 “Fast-track” targets to accelerate the HIV response and to “End AIDS by 2030”. But with Covid-19 we are back to the drawing board as most Governments paid attention and diverted efforts to pandemic and forgot #HIV and #TB and #Malaria The theme of World AIDS Day 2020 is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”. Our solidarity with #HIV and Aging and vulnerable families @the time of #COVID-19. COVID-19 is showing once again how health is interlinked with other critical issues, such as reducing inequality, human rights, gender equality, social protection and economic growth.

A human rights approach to TB : Stop TB guidelines for social mobilization

A human rights approach to TB : Stop TB guidelines for social mobilization

President of Nigeria unites behind the call for a People’s Vaccine for COVID-19

President of Nigeria unites behind the call for a People’s Vaccine for COVID-19: The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has announced that Nigeria will be joining the urgent global call for a People’s Vaccine for COVID-19. The President endorsed the initiative and released an official public statement in favour of the campaign.

https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/10/15/covid-19-has-dire-economic-impact-on-africa/

Mama Maria, my backbone my Pillar in Standing Up Against Stigma

What is stigma and why do we need to stop it? Stigma refers to judgments or inaccurate beliefs people may hold about a group of people. Discrimination refers to the unfair actions people may take based on those stigmatizing beliefs.

Unfortunately, people with health challenges often experience judgment or unfair treatment because of the stigma associated with thier status in our culture. 

Prejudice and discrimination often become internalized by people with health  issues meaning they begin to believe the negative things that other people or the media say about them. As a result, many people delay seeking help. 

She stood up against it in a humble way. Let's pick the que from her. RIEP my best friend.

KELIN, working with partners, asks the Court to determine the State’s obligation to publicise life and health saving information as part of the COVID-19 Response

KELIN, working with partners, asks the Court to determine the State’s obligation to publicise life and health saving information as part of the COVID-19 Response

KELIN, working with partners, asks the Court to determine the State’s obligation to publicise life and health saving information as part of the COVID-19 Response

KELIN, working with partners, asks the Court to determine the State’s obligation to publicise life and health saving information as part of the COVID-19 Response

Celebrating the life of Inviolata Mbwavi, Kenyan AIDS activist

Celebrating the life of Inviolata Mbwavi, Kenyan AIDS activist: Kenyan AIDS activist Inviolata Mbwavi died on 29 July 2020 in Kakamega, Kenya, at the age of 48 years.

Living with HIV, a journey of hope

Living with HIV, a journey of hope

When Quarantined for a public health issue, are you a criminal?

This is a question that lingers on our minds as community. The perception out here in our communities is that being quarantined is not viewed as a public health strategy for infection control by ordinary Kenyans . It is viewed more like an arrest, more a police cell where once in you are more a suspect or you are a criminal waiting to be charged for an offense.Why are people running away from Quarantine? What is there that we don't know? Could this is be the reason for low turnout in areas where Corona Virus Disease testing is being undertaken.? 

The attribute to this is lack inclusivity in approach/design as well as reaching out communities on the same to ensure they have information on the what, why, how and where on quarantine facilities to make it easy to own infection control to halt spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

We call upon the government agencies to ensure communities are at the centre to ensure we defeat the Covid-19 pandemic. Treatment of asumptive cases and  people in quarantine in an inhuman way  will make it worse. 

Vitamin D appears to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates

Vitamin D appears to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates

Candlelight Advocacy Platform

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is committed to ending HIV by raising awareness and advocating for the advancement of effective policies at all levels. The Candlelight Advocacy Platform is derived from the Global Advocacy Agenda which has been the advocacy agenda of the HIV activist movement since 1999. In addition, the Candlelight Advocacy Platform is inspired on current thinking to improve the HIV response, including the UNAIDS strategy Getting to Zero: Zero AIDS related Deaths, Zero new HIV infections and Zero Stigma and discrimination, and the Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention framework as driven by the movement of people living with HIV.
Key issue areas for the Candlelight Advocacy Platform are:
Ensuring Access to Treatment, Prevention & Care
Globally 16 million people living with HIV are on treatment, while millions more are in urgent need of HIV treatment, prevention and care services. Even in places where basic HIV services are available, social and structural barriers such as poverty, marginalization, stigma and discrimination all influence the access of communities and individuals to these services.
The Candlelight Memorial urges leaders to ensure all communities have equal access to HIV treatment and testing; evidence-based prevention; and care and support. Specific attention should be given to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, young people, men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who use drugs.
Reducing Stigma & Discrimination
Communities around the world face HIV-related stigma, discrimination and human rights violations, particularly people living with HIV and key populations such as men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers and young people.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial urges community, faith and political leaders to fight discrimination through protecting the rights of affected groups and individuals, and fostering a supportive legal and policy environment.
Increasing Resources for HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Other Related Issues
The needs of communities affected by HIV by far outpace the current resources allocated to meet them. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial urges leaders to scale up their commitments to adequately address the scope and depth of HIV, including other burdens accompanying or enhancing its spread such as TB, malaria, sexually-transmitted diseases and opportunistic infections, and other contributing social and economic challenges.
Promoting Greater Involvement by People Living with HIV and Key Populations
Communities of people living with and affected by HIV are often neglected in the decision-making processes that aim to assist them in the first place. The GIPA principle calls for the Greater Involvement of People living with HIV in decisions and policies which influence their lives and has been internationally recognized since the Paris Summit of 1994.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial urges leaders to incorporate the voice of people living with and affected by HIV in the formulation of policy, as well as in the design and implementation of programmes. Their experience and opinions are essential to the global HIV response. This includes promoting the empowerment of women, young people and key populations.

Africa HIV Deaths ‘could rise by 500,000’ Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – WHO

More than half a million people in sub-Saharan Africa could die between now and next year from Aids-related illnesses amid the Covid-19 pandemic – unless governments move to address the issue.
A modelling analysis done by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAids shows that the impact of a six-month disruption of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy could effectively set the clock back on Aids-related deaths to 2008, when there were more than 950,000 deaths on the continent.
“The terrible prospect of half a million more people in Africa dying of Aids-related illnesses is like stepping back into history,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, said in a statement.
UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima warned that treatment could be interrupted, with HIV services closed or unable to supply ARV therapy because of a breakdown in the supply chain.
“It could even be because services simply become overwhelmed due to competing needs to support the Covid-19 response,” Ms Byanyima said.
“There is a risk that the hard-earned gains of the Aids response will be sacrificed to the fight against Covid-19, but the right to health means that no one disease should be fought at the expense of the other.”
The WHO head said that countries needed to ensure that those diagnosed with HIV were adhering to treatment and that testing services would not be disrupted.
Some countries are already taking important steps, for example ensuring that people can collect bulk packs of treatment and other essential commodities, including self-testing kits, from drop-off points, which relieves pressure on health services and the health workforce.
“It will be important for countries to prioritise shoring up supply chains and ensuring that people already on treatment are able to stay on treatment,” Dr Tedros added.
BBC

Nyalenda Adolescents' Response on #COVID-19Management

Curative VS Preventive Who calls the shots in our health care systems in Kenya?

High handedness, despotic nature and authoritarian nature of implementation makes it a mountain for poor people to understand the danger. Little investment on prevention or primary health care is also another big problem.

 It is evident in UHC where Curative takes a big chunk.  For example in Kisumu County: why build  build a giant godown equivalent to an aircraft hanger while we have Kemsa Godown and also private sector? What was put up as a godown in JOOTRH should have been used to Kickstart a cancer Radiotherapy unit. How do  people in policy prioritize and arrive in such? This is the culture of leadership we have everywhere in policy and legislation in Kenya @the cost of taxpayers!!! .It is easy to arrive at such decisions for our leaders than pay stipends for Community Health Volunteers. #Tenderprenurering in action How much is my cut? or whose turn or who gets the contract? . As I write, Kisumu County CHVs have not been paid for over six months and are expected to reach out communities on #Covid-19 pandemic information on prevention strategies?? 

 It is always evident any moment a donor or A Bretton Wood institutions announce availability of funds or new project it triggers a flurry of interest and activities. It waters down ethos, competency, integrity name it. You will never find one in office until the funds dwindle. Poor leadership poor decision making for poor Desparate people! 😒 😥 😷😷😷😷. Unless there is a paradigm shift in mindset linking inclusivity, integrity and competency to performance will be stuck in the mud 

#COVID19 Put #Kenyan Health managers on crisis management mode now as #KEMRI does its core Business

The folly of health managers linking service provision and research ,this a catch 22 situation for the #HIV and #TB community .Now that #KEMRI is doing their core business nobody cares about us. The big question why cant we have #Genexpert and virallload  in  labs in at our  health facilities ? Where we have them they are none functional or experience eratic supply  of cartridges and reagents. Let research be research and let service provision be service provision .Responding to a crisis in such a manner brings out in the open why   priority is given to research institutions when supplying genexpert cartridges  as opposed to health facilities even when they ve  genexpert machines.

 Research is an important strategy that helps in improving our livelyhood. As communities we want over the board procedure that are transparent with integrity

Let's have our health facilities equipped. Let managers have plans to respond to such not in fire fighting modes. 

#Justice2Health

The right to health is a fundamental human right guaranteed in the Constitution of Kenya. Article 43 (1) (a) of the Constitution provides that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care. Article 43 (2) also provides that a person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment. Similar provisions are also contained international and regional human rights instruments, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, both of which Kenya has ratified.

Erick Okioma and Grassroot Network (G-net): World Health Day as it is From the COVID-19 WAR Fr...

Erick Okioma and Grassroot Network (G-net): World Health Day as it is From the COVID-19 WAR Fr...: The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organi...

World Health Day as it is From the COVID-19 WAR Frontier

The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization, as well as other related organizations. This year it is the day to celebrate the work of nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers and also remind world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy. This year’s theme is to support nurses, midwives and other health care worker the vital role they play to ensure communities are healthy. World health day every year also promotes healthy living. Remember that as we face current #COVID-19 Pandemic these mortals are our lifeline our only hope for survival 

As we battle the #COVID-19 pandemic this group of people are our frontline troops in this war. It is important to highlight their preparedness by ensuring they have a full combat gear as we face the enemy. This are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, Daughters, neighbors etc. Please take a moment find out if they have the gears or if the gears are available in the workstation. Do what you can including in solidarity with them lets clap and give all support we can. #stayhome 

As a community let's be ahead of the game, #COVID19 is at the community transmission stage. #washyourhands with soap, #socialdistancing and #stayathome #staysafesavelives #KomeshaCorona .In Kenya and in particular this forms a fragile but effective line of defense  in this #COVID-19 Pandemic  and is our only hope with weak resource setting like our healthcare system

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#Lets not forget our children in the fight against #COVID19 #coronaviruske

The Kenyan Cabinet Secretary also has made it clear and singled in particular on community transmission in the capital City Nairobi Kenya . Now that schools and churches are closed. Sending or transmitting general messages about Korona isn't reaching the children. 

They see it as the disease is for adults. They continue crowding and playing innocently Oblivious of the danger posed by Covid-19. Let's have child specific prevention messages. More so in the informal settlements. We know there are children who don,t keep indoors.As children they mingle and do not observe the rules set as per the prevention of Corona.Others are involved in door to door business of selling food stuffs, soap etc depending on your community."Yesterday a boy  child knocked by my door to sell me ripe bananas but I shed some light to him that it is dangerous doing so at the moment"  let's not leave our children behind #KomeshaCorona #COVID19KE #justice4health #Justice2Health #stayhome #staysafesavelives