New COVID-19 Variant; Historic Ailments in the Spotlight

Health emergencies have required the quick, coordinated response of national and international health systems, but historic ailments continue to haunt the population and slow down advances.

Here is the week in health!

Novel COVID-19 Variant Identified

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified a new COVID-19 variant, Deltacron, originating from the combination of genes of Delta and Omicron variants. To date, it has been detected in France, Netherlands and Denmark. Although Deltacron has not arrived in Mexico and Omicron contagions have decreased, the outbreak continues affecting various industries such as automotive, logistics, tourism, retail and aerospace.

Gender Perspectives Required to Interpret Health Data

The Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Research Industries (AMIIF) will finance the research project “Economic and health impacts of non-communicable diseases in women in Mexico,” which will be carried out by the Mexican Institute of Public Health’s (INSP) and the George Institute for Global Health of Australia. The research teams aim to study, from a gender perspective, how the economic and health burden generated by noncommunicable diseases differs between men and women in Mexico. 

Nayarit: First State to Implement IMSS-Bienestar

In April, the IMSS-Bienestar Program will kick off in Nayarit to provide health services to those without social security. By 2024, it is expected that all states will operate under the umbrella of IMSS-Bienestar. “Within the transformation of the health system, no labor rights will be violated and no health worker will be fired,” said Zoé Robledo, General Director, IMSS.

AI-Powered Health Supply Chains Avoid Shortages

AI can improve cost-effective deliveries and create a resilient, predictive supply chain, helping to avoid shortages of medicines and medical supplies. Learn how companies can exploit this tool to boost operations in this article.

Health Month

• Endometriosis Awareness Month is celebrated every March to raise awareness of a disease affecting 10 percent of women of reproductive age globally. In Mexico, about 35 percent of women suffer from the disease. While there is no cure for endometriosis, early diagnosis can prevent its deathly consequences. Learn more about this disease and its affectations here.
• World Kidney Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of March, raises awareness of the importance of having healthy kidneys and the numerous diseases that could affect these organs. In Mexico, kidney diseases affect 11 percent of the population, according to the Ministry of Health (SSA). Annually, 45,000 new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are diagnosed in the country. Read more about the subject here.
• Approximately 2.5 million deaths could be avoided each year if salt consumption was reduced globally, reports the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognition of the World Salt Awareness Week 2022 that takes place on Mar. 14-20. Adults should consume less than 5g of salt a day but in Mexico the average daily intake is between 7g and 9g. Do not miss the full article here.

Experts of the Week

• MBN spoke with Sandra Ramírez, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Mexico and Colombia, of innovation, health access and education for a true health provision. Read her full interview here.
• Telemedicine expert, Adrián Alcántara, Director General, Doctoralia, discusses opportunity for reinvention in the health sector. Read his article here.
• Ultragenyx’s Nicolas Linares spoke with MBN about the role of pricing and financing in the treatment of rare diseases. Do not miss his interview.