Guest Contributors

By Eduardo Antonio Lara-Pérez, MD. Pediatrician and Pediatric Pulmonologist. Mexican Academy of Pediatrics. Professor, CEO Medical Health Fraternity "Doctors United for Mexico" Introduction The history of...

Frederic W. Nikiema, MD, Msc Direction Régionale l'Ouest, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Introduction Neonatal tetanus (NT), a brutal and preventable killer, continues...

by Maria Jose Diaz-Gutierrez, MD and Aileen Chang, MD In a world where infectious threats evolve faster than our responses, the greatest strength of modern medicine...

by Rebecca C. Christofferson, PhD Dengue virus (DENV) represents one of the most significant hurdles to global health security. Increasingly driven by urbanization, climate change,...

The role of the physician in innovation of new medicinal products and other health and wellness therapies is central. The specific roles and specific tasks for medically trained experts varies across the spectrum of innovation, and it is worth some time to consider these varied functions physicians play.  These roles have been described in detail (1).

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water. Symptoms can range from mild flu-like signs to severe illness, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. 

Event Overview: The 12th Congress of the Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS 2024) was held from December 10–13, 2024, at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou, Benin. This was the first in-person FAIS meeting since 2017, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The congress brought together 260 delegates, including scientists, policymakers, and researchers from across Africa and beyond, to address the theme: “Innovative Strategies Against Infectious Diseases and Emerging Immunological Disorders in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Latin America is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant biodiversity. From the Amazon rainforest to the Andean mountains, historic cities, and pristine beaches, it offers travellers unparalleled experiences. However, with this diversity comes a range of health risks that travellers must be aware of. Vaccines play a critical role in safeguarding the health of travellers and the communities they visit. 

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the stark inequities in global vaccine distribution, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While wealthier nations secured early access to vaccines, many LMICs struggled to obtain enough doses, prolonging the pandemic and contributing to the rise of new variants. This disparity underscored the urgent need for more equitable vaccine access, especially in the context of global health security.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccination prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths each year and, alongside clean drinking water, is one...