WHO launches groundbreaking guidelines to combat meningitis globally

KARACHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled its first-ever global guidelines for meningitis diagnosis, treatment, and care, aiming to reduce the significant public health threat posed by this disease. These comprehensive guidelines address almost all forms of meningitis, including the most dangerous bacterial form, which can become fatal within 24 hours.
According to WHO, 2.5 million cases of meningitis were reported globally in 2019, with 1.6 million cases of bacterial meningitis resulting in approximately 240,000 deaths. Additionally, 1 in 5 individuals affected by bacterial meningitis incur long-term complications, leading to disability and impacting quality of life.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasised the importance of these guidelines, stating that implementing them will help save lives, improve long-term care for those affected by meningitis, and strengthen health systems.

WHO Director-General
The guidelines, intended for healthcare professionals in first- and second-level facilities, focus on coordinated action across five key areas. These areas include faster detection and optimal clinical management, developing new affordable vaccines, achieving high immunisation and coverage, and improving outbreak preparedness and response. Strengthening monitoring systems to guide prevention and control, ensuring early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects from meningitis, and increasing political commitment and inclusion in country plans are also crucial.

IV File photo
The guidelines contribute to the broader Defeating Meningitis by 2030 Global Roadmap, adopted by WHO Member States in 2020, which aims to eliminate bacterial meningitis epidemics, reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70%, and reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis.

The highest burden of disease is seen in the 'meningitis belt', a region in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk of recurrent epidemics of meningococcal meningitis. The guidelines are designed to be adaptable to low- and middle-income countries, where the disease burden remains high, said a WHO communication.

--IV News Desk

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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