HPV vaccination becomes part of a cancer plan

A regional expert panel endorsed a phase III clinical trial protocol for candidate herbal products against COVID-19, without approving a product.

The panel also endorsed terms of reference for a data and safety monitoring board to review participant safety during trials.

The agreed protocol was intended to help African scientists generate comparable evidence under international clinical research standards.

Its endorsement applied to methods for testing potential therapies; safety and effectiveness remained to be established by research.

The global plan set vaccination, screening and treatment targets for 2030.

WHO combined early detection and care with vaccination in its 90–70–90 targets.

Its publication was a call for future action, not a declaration that cervical cancer had ended.

Publication date: UNESCO described a webinar on traditional and complementary medicine during COVID-19.

Publication date: regional organizations discussed sharing and studying African traditional medicine; no COVID-19 remedy was proven.

Publication date: UNESCO placed inherited medicine within discussion of cultural heritage and biodiversity.