Public Health Wednesdays(PHW): Health Check in Africa & Asia
ASIA
The Philippines
My fav. spot might be Negros :)
DENGUE FEVER
French Pharmaceutical Giant Sanofi got some bad news this week. Their Dengvaxia vaccine aimed at preventing dengue fever worsen symptoms for patients who had never been infected with the mosquito-borne virus. Effective immediately, The Philippines has suspended sales and distribution of the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Did I forget to mention, 733,000 children received the vaccination as far back as April 2016??
SOUTHEAST ASIA- AIR POLLUTION
Recent report from UNICEF on living conditions in South Asia reveal that air pollution in South Asia causes risk to brain development for 12.2 million children below one.
TAIWAN
Unfortunately for Taiwan, it ranks number 1 in cancer related death in the Asia Pacific region. The other countries that follow on the list are Singapore, Australia, and China. Lung and Liver cancer are reported to be the top two cancers in Taiwan.
AFRICA
GHANA
The Ghanaian e-health startup Eiko health has launched Kenko Doctor, a mobile app that allows patients to book appointments with doctors. It should be available in 2018, read more and enjoy the short video.
SOUTH AFRICA- PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS!
The Health Minister of South Africa, Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed 557 of listeriosis and 36 people have died.
UGANDA- THE CASE OF JUST A LITTLE MORPHINE
1800'S Kit that users kept for personal use
Nomally this would be my argument in the United States
THREE YEARS AGO..
I understand the need to make the pain stop, in addition to arthritis, I also have the physical condition of endometriosis. I have had to take morphine shots because of endometriosis. I have suffered from third degree burns from placing hot water bottles and pads on my abdomen just to get any forms of relief. I frequented my local emergency clinic so much that, I had my own thick binder just waiting for my screams and anguish.
Uganda is taking a bold approach to helping terminally ill patients and perharps euthanasia can also be part of this discussion. Uganda has worked on crafting policies that range from access to the drug, education for both patients and medical staff and choosing a model of care that is proper for Ugandan people.
The article below states that 11% of the Uganda population are buying liquid forms of Morphine for pain control.
Pain relief and treatment is a human universal right. I hope you know and understand your 30 human universal rights, below is an illustrated book from the United Nations
See you next PHW