KEMRI inaendelea na utafiti wa chanjo kulinda watoto wapya kutoka maambukizi hospitalini

Taasisi ya Utafiti wa Matibabu Kenya (KEMRI) inafanya utafiti wa kipekee ili kuunda chanjo inayoweza kulinda watoto wapya kutoka magonjwa ya kuambukizwa hospitalini baada ya kuzaliwa. Mpango huu unatokana na wasiwasi unaoongezeka kuhusu maambukizi yanayopatikana hospitalini miongoni mwa watoto wapya, hasa wale waliozaliwa kabla ya wakati au wenye uzito mdogo, ambao mara nyingi hubaki hospitalini kwa muda mrefu chini ya uchunguzi wa matibabu. Ikiwa utafiti utafanikiwa, chanjo ya mama kutoka KEMRI inaweza kuweka Kenya kama kiongozi katika uvumbuzi wa afya ya watoto wapya nchini Afrika.

Taasisi ya Utafiti wa Matibabu Kenya (KEMRI) inafanya utafiti wa kipekee ili kuunda chanjo inayoweza kulinda watoto wapya kutoka magonjwa ya kuambukizwa hospitalini baada ya kuzaliwa. Mpango huu unatokana na wasiwasi unaoongezeka kuhusu maambukizwa yanayopatikana hospitalini miongoni mwa watoto wapya, hasa wale waliozaliwa kabla ya wakati au wenye uzito mdogo, ambao mara nyingi hubaki hospitalini kwa muda mrefu chini ya uchunguzi wa matibabu kabla ya kuruhusiwa kwenda nyumbani.

Utafiti uliofanywa na KEMRI kati ya 2020 na 2023 katika hospitali kadhaa ulionyesha ongezeko la wasiwasi la maambukizi ya watoto wapya, na kuangazia hitaji la dharura la hatua zenye nguvu zaidi za kudhibiti maambukizi katika vituo vya afya. Utafiti huo uliahidi ongezeko la maambukizi kwa sababu ya wadi zenye msongamano, usafi duni, na upatikanaji mdogo wa maji safi, na kutoa onyo kwamba bila viwango bora vya usafi, watoto wapya wengi wataendelea kuwa hatarini kwa maambukizi yanayohatarisha maisha.

Watafiti wa KEMRI waligundua Klebsiella pneumoniae, bakteria inayostahimili dawa nyingi, kama moja ya sababu kuu za maambukizi yanayopatikana hospitalini kwa watoto wapya. Bakteria hii mara nyingi hustawi katika mazingira ya hospitali na inastahimili dawa nyingi za antibiotics, na hivyo kutibu kuwa ngumu sana.

“Ndio tulichogundua na watoto wapya ni kwamba wakati wanapopokelewa hospitalini, hasa wale waliozaliwa kabla ya wakati au wenye uzito mdogo, wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kuambukizwa na bakteria,” alisema mtafiti mmoja wa KEMRI, akiongeza kwamba “kwa bahati mbaya, bakteria wanazokutana nayo hospitalini mara nyingi ni zenye kustahimili dawa sana.”

Kulingana na KEMRI, utafiti mpya unalenga kuunda chanjo ya mama ambayo italinda watoto kwa njia isiyo ya moja kwa moja kupitia mama zao. Katika kesi hii, akina mama watapewa chanjo wakati wa ujauzito, na hivyo kuwapa watoto wao kinga kupitia antibodies.

“Wazo ni kuwapa akina mama kinga dhidi ya Klebsiella ili wakati wa kutoa, watoto wao watalindwa kutoka maambukizi,” alieleza mtafiti huyo.

Wataalamu wa afya wameelezea mbinu hii kama uvunjaji wa kimkakati unaoweza kuokoa maisha, hasa nchi zinazoendelea kama Kenya, ambapo maambukizi ya watoto wapya bado ni sababu kuu ya vifo vya watoto wachanga.

Ikiwa utafiti utafanikiwa, chanjo ya mama kutoka KEMRI inaweza kuweka Kenya kama kiongozi katika uvumbuzi wa afya ya watoto wapya, ikitoa matumaini mapya kwa maelfu ya watoto wapya walio hatarini kote barani Afrika.

Makala yanayohusiana

Illustration depicting RSV prevention injection in a newborn, shielding from virus and reducing future asthma risk, with healthy child growth.
Picha iliyoundwa na AI

RSV prevention in newborns could cut childhood asthma risk, study suggests

Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Belgian researchers working with Danish partners report that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in early infancy are linked to a higher risk of childhood asthma, especially in children with a genetic tendency to allergies. In experimental models, protecting newborns from RSV prevented the immune changes associated with later asthma. The findings, published in Science Immunology, highlight potential long-term benefits of emerging RSV prevention tools.

Waziri Mkuu wa Afya Aden Duale ametangaza kukatishwa kwa usambazaji wa kimataifa wa chanjo ya Rotavac ya rotavirus. Upungufu huu, unaosababishwa na ucheleweshaji wa uzalishaji kutoka Bharat Biotech, unatarajiwa kuathiri chanjo ya watoto nchini Kenya hadi mwaka 2027. Wizara inashirikiana na washirika kushughulikia hali hii.

Imeripotiwa na AI

Scientists have harvested antibodies from the blood of paediatricians to develop new preventative treatments for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus. These antibodies outperform existing therapies by up to 25 times and target a wider range of strains. The discovery stems from the natural immunity built by paediatricians through years of exposure to respiratory viruses.

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have created an experimental nasal spray vaccine that protects mice against multiple respiratory threats, including COVID-19, flu, bacterial pneumonia, and allergens. The vaccine activates the lungs' innate immune system for months, offering broad defense without targeting specific pathogens. Published in Science on February 19, the study suggests potential for human trials soon.

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In a recent meeting with the Cuban president, health experts presented progress on the Finlay Vaccine Institute's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine development program. This effort, led for over 20 years, aims to protect children and older adults from severe diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The heptavalent Quimi-Vio® vaccine is already registered and shows positive results in reducing mortality.

A baby died in Tlaxcala from measles complications, worsened by an incomplete vaccination schedule and delayed medical care. The state health secretariat reported the case and urged boosting vaccinations with the triple viral shot to prevent infections. Authorities stress preventive measures amid transmission risks.

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Gavana wa Mombasa, Abdulswamad Nassir, ameagiza waachiliwe zaidi ya mama 100 waliokuwa wamezuiliwa katika wodi ya kujifungua katika Hospitali Kuu ya Rufaa ya Pwani pamoja na watoto wao kutokana na kushindwa kulipa ada za matibabu. Wanawake hao hawakuwa wamesajiliwa katika bima ya afya ya SHA na ada zao zilifikia takriban Sh100,000. Agizo hilo linatokana na mahangaiko ya hospitali ikiwemo uhaba wa rasilimali na msongamano hatari.

 

 

 

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