Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | AFP | Rashida Begum steers clear of the water pump near the reeking latrine shared by more than 100 families in a grim corner of Bangladesh that has grown into one of the world’s largest refugee settlements in just weeks. “The pump works, but the water stinks, …
Read More »Trump’s scandal-hit health secretary resigns
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s embattled health secretary was forced out of the US administration Friday amid a scandal over his use of costly private jets for government travel. Tom Price was the latest top official to join in a stream of steady and embarrassing exits …
Read More »Zika virus mutated around 2013, leading to birth defects: study
Miami, United States | AFP | Zika has been around for decades but only recently began to cause birth defects due to a single mutation the mosquito-borne virus likely acquired in 2013, researchers said Thursday. The report in the US journal Science explains for the first time how this once relatively …
Read More »Taste of the exotic: ‘fatty rice’ condoms from Malaysia
Port Klang, Malaysia | AFP | A Malaysian condom company is hoping to spice up sex lives with a contraceptive that tastes like the country’s ultimate comfort food — a chili-infused rice dish known as nasi lemak. Industry giant Karex, which claims to be the world’s biggest condom maker, already offers …
Read More »A sixth of new HIV patients in Europe 50 or older: study
Paris, France | AFP | People aged 50 and older comprise a growing percentage of HIV patients in Europe, accounting for one in six new cases in 2015, researchers said Wednesday. The older cohort was more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of HIV and AIDS compared to 15-49 year …
Read More »Senate Republicans pull plug on latest Obamacare repeal bid
Washington, United States | AFP | US Senate Republicans abandoned their latest plan to dismantle Obamacare Tuesday when it became clear that President Donald Trump’s party did not have the votes, assuring the 2010 health reforms survive for the foreseeable future. Grim-faced lawmakers, who had hoped to hold the vote this …
Read More »HEALTH: 12 strategies for health
Lancet report shows the path to healthier lives for Africans is within reach By Alex Ezeh, Nelson Sewankambo & Peter Piot There is huge diversity within and across the 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The challenges these countries face in achieving health outcomes that are at par with low and …
Read More »Lab attendant jailed for stealing HIV test kits
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | A Laboratory Technician attached to Toroma Health Centre III in Katakwi District was Monday charged and remanded to Luzira Prison for stealing 302 HIV test kits worth sh63.7million. Paul Aule was produced before the Anti-Corruption Court’s Grade One Magistrate Patricia Amoko and denied embezzling the said items, …
Read More »‘World’s heaviest woman’ dies in Abu Dhabi hospital
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | AFP | An Egyptian believed to be the world’s heaviest woman died Monday morning of heart and kidney failure at an Abu Dhabi hospital. A team of more than 20 doctors had been caring for Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty since her arrival at Burjeel …
Read More »Two more US Senators signal opposition to Obamacare overhaul
Washington, United States | AFP | Two Republican senators signalled strong opposition Sunday to their party’s latest bid to overhaul Obamacare, dealing a potentially fatal blow to one President Donald Trump’s top legislative goals. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she cannot “envision a scenario” in which she would back the …
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