Television programmes can influence the perceptions and behaviours of adolescents either negatively or positively. But if unregulated they can cause harm. The Conversation Africa’s Health and Medicine Editor Joy Wanja Muraya spoke to Sammy Yaah Baya about its impact. How is television viewing likely to influence the sexual behaviour of …
Read More »Norway is happiest, East African countries among the bottom
And the world’s happiest country is… Norway, as Uganda is ranked 133 New York, United States | AFP | A chilly climate isn’t keeping Norway from basking in the glow of being named the world’s happiest country on Monday. The Scandinavian country surged from fourth place in last year’s UN …
Read More »Tingatinga art in town
Belgian collector brings famous Tanzanian artists to Kampala By Dominic Muwanguzi Tingatinga art movement birthed by one Edward Saidi Tingatinga in 1968 in Tanzania is a style that involves repetitive decorative design of wildlife and day to day lifestyle. The images are washed in a bright colorful palette that is …
Read More »Japan’s elderly inmates prefer jail
No country for old men: Japan’s elderly inmates prefer jail Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Every day is the same. He wakes at 6:45 am, eats breakfast 20 minutes later and reports for work at eight o’clock sharp. But this isn’t your typical Japanese salaryman. This man is in …
Read More »Patient’s record automation gains traction in East Africa
Wilson Kutegeka is the CEO of ClinicMaster International, the developers of a healthcare information management and medical billing software that automates patients’ transactions in health centres across East Africa. He spoke to The Independent’s Agnes E Nantaba about automation of patient’s health records. What are the key elements in your …
Read More »Iconic US newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin dies at 88
Washington, United States | AFP | Jimmy Breslin, a brash, colorful award-winning reporter and newspaper columnist who took on the high and mighty and championed the underdog, died Sunday at the age of 88. His wife Ronnie Eldridge confirmed his death, The New York Times reported. Breslin had been recovering …
Read More »HEALTH: Cholesterol-slashing drug does not impair brain
Washington, United States | AFP | A new cholesterol-slashing drug that has shown promise for high-risk patients does not impair brain function, according to a study out Saturday. Previous research had raised the possibility that evolocumab, sold under the brand name Repatha by Amgen, may have a damaging effect on memory …
Read More »Web-based counseling lowers blood pressure as much as meds
Washington, United States | AFP | People who received regular lifestyle counseling online were able to lower their blood pressure as much as a medication would, researchers said Saturday. Their study involved 264 people with high blood pressure and an average age of 58. The subjects’ average blood pressure began at …
Read More »Pope Francis to visit Egypt on April 28-29
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis will visit Cairo on April 28-29 at the invitation of the Egyptian president and the grand imam of the capital’s famed Al-Azhar mosque, the Vatican said Saturday. The pontiff had hosted the grand imam, Ahmed al-Tayeb, at the Vatican last May, …
Read More »Magufuli offers 500 doctors to ease Kenya health crisis
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | Tanzania on Saturday agreed to send 500 doctors to Kenya after a 100-day doctors’ strike that paralyzed health services in the neighbouring country. President John Magufuli announced the decision after meeting a Kenyan delegation in Dar es Salaam headed by health minister Cleopa Mailu. …
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