Agnes Nanyonjo, African Population and Health Research Center
Older people require both psychological and nutritional support during drought and famine. Kenya needs to implement a comprehensive public health response that assists during emergency situations.
Clinicians can do their jobs better when they have quick, open access to scientifically rigorous research.
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South Africa has become the first country on the continent to purchase a national licence to the Cochrane library – giving everyone access to evidence-based information about health care.
Successfully separating conjoined twins is a complex operation that depends on how they are joined as well as the experience and skill of the surgical team.
People across Africa don’t have access to mental health professionals. A new community-based approach in Zimbabwe is proving effective.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
African leaders need to up their health allocations to help the new World Health Organisation Director-General meet his health care targets for the continent.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain characterised by recurrent seizures.
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Epilepsy affects around 70 million people globally, 80% live in developing countries. A shortage of specialists, equipment and drugs complicates effective treatment and management.
Tackling the challenge of stunting in South Africa needs a convergence of science and policy along with better coordination at all levels of government.
There’s no effective treatment for Keratolytic Winter Erythema that causes skin to peel.
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South African geneticists and international counterparts have traced the origins of a genetic peeling disorder, Oudtshoorn skin, and discovered the mutation that causes it.
Kenya needs to improve efforts to reach, treat and cure all TB patients.
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About three million people globally are ‘missed’ each year for Tuberculosis diagnosis. Many of them will die, some will get better, others will continue to infect others.
Governments in anthrax endemic countries should build efficient surveillance systems that incorporate detection, confirmation and efficient data collation and feedback.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the new Director-General of the World Health Organisation
Reuters/Denis Balibouse
The new director-general of the World Health Organisation has set universal health coverage as a priority. There are several ways to make headway with this goal.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the newly elected Director-General of the World Health Organisation.
Reuters/Denis Balibouse
There are a number of challenges that the World Health Organisation’s new leader, Ethiopian-born Tedros Ghebreyesus, will have to navigate during his tenure.
Hand sanitisers are popular as an alternative to washing hands using soap and water to kill germs.
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The poor quality of hand sanitisers in Kenya poses a health concern. If this market remains unregulated these products might encourage the undetected transmission of infectious pathogens in hospitals.
Antenatal care is important during pregnancy.
Reuters
Africa is expected to have among the steepest increases in the number of people affected by non-communicable diseases - it needs health care systems that can cope.
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia develops silently often with no symptoms, particularly in the early stages.
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One of the confirmed causes of Chronic myeloid leukaemia is contact with an atomic weapon or nuclear radiation. Other risks factors of this type of cancer are still being established.
Enrolling children in in pre-school is essential for their development.
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Jenita Chiba, University of Johannesburg and Jacqueline Moodley, University of Johannesburg
Child support grants are an income resource that enables caregivers to make healthier food choices and provide the means to send their children to school earlier.
Ebola devastated parts of West Africa in 2014 and 2015. Now it’s hit the DRC.
EPA/Ahmed Jallanzo
The Ebola virus is known to occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo and outbreaks are not entirely unexpected. But health authorities must take swift action to contain the outbreak.
In sub Saharan Africa causes of death, such as suicide, have been neglected.
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