WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment - Newstrends
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WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

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WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first-ever guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for treating obesity, a condition affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Announcing the development on its official X handle on Tuesday, the global health body cautioned that medication alone cannot solve obesity, stressing that drugs must complement healthy diets, regular physical activity, and sustained medical support.

The WHO noted that obesity—responsible for 3.7 million global deaths in 2024—remains a growing crisis, with projections indicating the number of affected individuals could double by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

According to the organisation, obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above in adults. It is a complex, chronic disease linked to major noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and increased complications from infectious diseases.

The new guideline focuses on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medicines that lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and reduce risks of heart and kidney complications. These drugs were added to the WHO Essential Medicines List in September 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients.

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WHO explained that its conditional recommendations for GLP-1 therapies aim to support adults living with obesity as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, emphasizing the need for behavioral interventions such as healthy eating and consistent physical activity.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said obesity remains a worldwide health threat requiring sustained and equitable care.
“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care. While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce related harms,” he said.

Ghebreyesus also warned that the global economic cost of obesity could reach US$3 trillion annually by 2030, adding that the guideline aims to reduce soaring healthcare costs tied to obesity-related complications.

The key recommendations state that GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term obesity treatment in adults, excluding pregnant women, and must be combined with intensive lifestyle interventions.

The WHO flagged concerns over limited long-term safety data, high drug costs, weak health-system capacity, and the risk of widening health inequalities, stressing that without targeted policies, access to GLP-1 therapies may deepen existing disparities.

It called for a comprehensive obesity strategy built on three pillars:
– Creating healthier environments through strong public policies
– Protecting high-risk individuals through early screening and intervention
– Ensuring equitable access to lifelong, person-centred obesity care

The organisation urged countries to ensure fair access to GLP-1 therapies, strengthen health systems ahead of their broader use, and adopt holistic measures to combat the escalating obesity crisis.

WHO Issues First Global Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity Treatment

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China Unveils Blink-Powered Device to Aid Paralysed Patients’ Mobility

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China Unveils Blink-Powered Device to Aid Paralysed Patients’ Mobility

China Unveils Blink-Powered Device to Aid Paralysed Patients’ Mobility

Chinese researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking blink-powered eye-tracking device designed to help paralysed patients regain control over wheelchairs and assistive devices. The innovation captures energy generated by blinking to operate devices, offering new independence for individuals with ALS, spinal injuries, and severe mobility impairments.

The device, named ET‑TENG, uses a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to convert eyelid movements into electrical signals, allowing users to navigate wheelchairs or communicate with technology without external batteries. Unlike traditional camera-based eye-tracking systems, ET‑TENG functions even in total darkness, making it more reliable for daily use.

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Developed through collaboration between Qingdao University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, ET‑TENG demonstrated 99% accuracy in detecting eye movements as small as 2 degrees, ensuring precise control for patients. Experts say this technology could significantly improve quality of life and autonomy for people living with paralysis.

This innovation is part of a growing wave of assistive technologies and brain-computer interfaces (BCI) in China and globally, aimed at translating neuroscience breakthroughs into practical tools for patients with severe disabilities. Researchers hope ET‑TENG and similar devices will soon allow users to communicate, move independently, and interact with the world in ways that were previously impossible.

China Unveils Blink-Powered Device to Aid Paralysed Patients’ Mobility

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Father Blames Lagos Health Centre After Twin Infants Die Following Immunisation

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The father Samuel Alozie the twins

Father Blames Lagos Health Centre After Twin Infants Die Following Immunisation

A grieving father has accused a Lagos health centre of negligence following the death of his nine-month-old twin boys, who reportedly died hours after receiving routine vaccination at a government-owned facility in the state.

The father, Samuel Alozie, said he took the twins to the Ajangbadi Primary Health Centre in Ojo Local Government Area for their scheduled immunisation. According to him, the babies were healthy and active before the visit but developed severe reactions shortly after the injections.

He alleged that the twins became unusually weak, stopped feeding properly and failed to respond to treatment given at home based on advice from health workers. Tragically, both children reportedly died within 24 hours of receiving the vaccines.

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The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media, has raised fresh concerns about vaccine safety, medical negligence, and standards of care at public health facilities in Lagos State. In emotional online videos, the father questioned the drugs administered to his children and called for a transparent investigation, insisting that the deaths were preventable.

Reacting to public pressure, the Lagos State Government ordered a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Officials said the autopsy would establish whether the fatalities were linked to the vaccination, medical error, or other underlying health conditions.

Health authorities have urged the public to remain calm while investigations continue, noting that routine childhood immunisation remains safe and critical in preventing deadly diseases. However, rights groups and concerned parents are demanding accountability, insisting that any form of medical malpractice uncovered must be prosecuted.

The tragic deaths have reignited national debate on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in primary health centres, with many Nigerians calling for better training, monitoring and equipment to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Father Blames Lagos Health Centre After Twin Infants Die Following Immunisation

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NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries

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NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians that Nestlé infant formula products approved for sale in Nigeria are safe, following public concern over a voluntary global recall of SMA Infant Formula in more than 50 countries.

In a statement issued by the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency clarified that the recall by Nestlé UK was limited to specific batches overseas and does not affect products available in the Nigerian market.

According to NAFDAC, the recall was prompted by the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting, in some UK-manufactured batches. Cereulide is described as a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.

“The Agency wishes to reassure the public, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders, particularly parents, guardians and caregivers, that all Nestlé infant formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not part of the recall,” the statement said.

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NAFDAC explained that the SMA infant formula sold in Nigeria is manufactured at the Nestlé Tuas Factory in Singapore and is fully registered and approved by the agency. It further confirmed that both the SMA and NAN ranges produced for the Nigerian market are not among the affected batches involved in the voluntary recall abroad.

The agency noted that the public advisory was issued purely as a precautionary public health measure, in line with NAFDAC’s mandate to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety developments, even where the risk of local exposure is low.

However, NAFDAC warned that potential risks could still arise through unauthorised importation, online purchases, or personal carriage of recalled products during international travel.

The agency assured Nigerians that it remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of food and pharmaceutical products in Nigeria, while continuing to monitor global developments related to infant nutrition and food safety.

NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries

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