Fighting for First Breath: ISSAD 2026 Tackles GBS Disease in Africa

-
By Wilson Amondo

The 2026 International Symposium on Streptococcus and GBS Disease (ISSAD) is set to kick off in East Africa, bringing together top experts to tackle the pressing issue of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease. This year's conference is particularly significant, as it coincides with a surge in GBS cases in sub-Saharan Africa.

As the opening panel takes the stage, discussions will center around the latest vaccine candidates in clinical trials, with a focus on maternal immunisation approaches that could protect both mothers and newborns. The plenary session on disease burden and surveillance will reveal updated global estimates, highlighting the daunting data gaps in Africa and South Asia.

But it's not just about numbers – the conference will delve into the human impact of GBS disease, with stories of stillbirths, prematurity, and maternal mortality. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network will share recent data, shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of GBS-associated stillbirths.

With representation from over 40 countries, ISSAD 2026 is poised to accelerate the transition from evidence generation to policy implementation, particularly in high-burden, resource-limited settings. As the world watches, the fight against GBS disease is getting a much-needed boost – and maybe, just maybe, a breakthrough is on the horizon. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Youth Organizations Benefit From Ksh 23 Million KCDF Award to Boost Innovation

-
Image
By Vincent Munga Five community youth organizations have benefitted from a Sh 23,950,000 award to support their innovative ideas towards environmental sustainability and conservation. The award by Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) under its young environmentalist innovative challenge (YEIC), aims at developing action-oriented young individuals and youth-led organizations committed to the conservation of the environment.  The winners included Inua DamSite from Nyandarua County, EcoRich Solutions and Placom Manufacturers from Nairobi County, and Farmer Lifeline Technologies and Fruity Schools Africa from Kiambu County. The finalists of the inaugural challenge, launched in 2023, were awarded in this event that also saw the launch of the second edition.  This year’s edition seeks to award three young individual environment champions with grants of up to KES 1.5 Million and six organizations with grants of up to KES 5 Million each, for implementing their uni...
Read more

Inside Tia Clinic’s Bold Move to Pioneer Regenerative Healing in Kenya

-
Image
A quiet revolution is taking shape in Kenya’s medical field — one that promises not just to manage illness but to help the body heal itself. Known as regenerative medicine, this emerging branch of science is redefining how doctors and patients approach recovery, vitality, and long-term health. The renewed public interest in medical wellness — seen recently as celebrities opened up about using modern treatments such as Ozempic for weight regulation — reflects a broader shift toward scientifically guided healthcare. Across Kenya, clinics and research centers are increasingly adopting advanced therapies that combine metabolic, functional, and regenerative medicine to achieve lasting results. According to Dr. Ashne Malde, a regenerative and functional medicine specialist at Tia Clinics Muthaiga, regenerative medicine represents one of the most transformative movements in modern healthcare. “For decades, medicine has focused on managing symptoms,” says Dr. Malde. “Now we are usi...
Read more

Odanga Pessa Takes Over Agano Party, Launches Rebrand Ahead of 2027 Elections

-
Image
The Agano National Party has officially rebranded and unveiled a new leadership team under the stewardship of Hon. Odanga Nashon Pessa, who was recently gazetted as the party’s new Secretary General. Speaking during the launch of the rebranded Agano National Party in Nairobi, Odanga — who previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) — said the party’s transformation marks the beginning of a “new chapter of bold ideas and principled politics.” “Agano National Party is the alternative team with the aspirations of Kenyans at heart. The time to initiate change is now,” Odanga said. He emphasized that the party would field candidates across all regions in the 2027 General Election and is already preparing to participate in upcoming by-elections.  “We are not just talking about 2027 — we are acting now. Agano will have candidates in every part of the country,” he added. Odanga also urged young people to take an active role in s...
Read more