Public Health Wednesdays(PHW)-Africa & Asia Health Check

AFRICA WHO REPORT

Botulism in Nigeria

Lassa fever in Benin

Lassa fever in Nigeria

Suspected Rift Valley fever in South Sudan

Cholera in Angola

Suspected Rift Valley fever in The Gambia 

We have reported on Lassa Fever for the last few weeks within different regions in Africa. It seems no matter the country, public health education and engagement with the community is lost in the conversation. At some point, poor infrastructure must be addressed and scrutinized in the same manner that NGOs are expected to solve these issues. I was told these words of wisdom as a young one, that I shall pass down to you 

“WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU TOUCH ANY PART OF YOUR BODY

WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU TOUCH ANYTHING

.... WASH YOUR HANDS....”

— On your way to the Doctor, Chapter 1:1

Oh, another little piece of information, you can contract Lassa Fever sexually. I only explain this piece because throughout my experience in public health, there was always someone that wanted to minimize the meaning of sexual contact. If you have Oral, Vaginal, or Anal sex, you can contract Lassa Fever. You will be surprised, just how this little piece of information is not mentioned as it ought to be.

It reminds me of working for a health department that had one lead in a division that did not want certain spaces to know that Zika could be contracted sexually. #Dobrownlivesmatter? It was at that moment, I understood white privilege in public health spaces can be very dangerous.

There is privilege in saying things such as “Those people and my personal favorite, them”.

You can imagine, I decided we will always go the educated route and inform everyone. During my undergraduate years, my classmate told me after a heated discussion on public health policy...

.

“I will not trust a mut#er$%^&*@ that cannot birth us to educate us on my health. GTFOH
It was such a raw honest moment, I was asked if I was okay?

I simply stuttered .. am straight. I was not straight or okay. I was in shock and needed some raw juice from Whole Foods”

— Benefits of attending a Historical Black University, nobody cares about your OMG moment

While my classmate had a valid point, this spaces are filled with folks that look like her. Yet the addiction to International Aide and lack of investment in health infrasttucture will almost see Lassa Fever till Mid 2018, I predict. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX IN UGANDA: SEX WORKERS

Never up for discussion, unless you have plans to back up the plans. 

Sexual Health is Public Health. Sexual Health Education and Awareness towards Africans is always this nauseating push and pull of Eurocentric Religion, Colonialism, and addiction to Western Aide.

“Gayatri Spivak asked, Can the Subaltern Speak? I often wonder, Do black penises and vaginas have their own separate narratives? It seems Africans can only come together with permission granted by Americans and that is also for a host of other issues.”

— Behind Water & Cassava

The investment monies given to African countries from Asian partners like Japan, China, and India to invest in infrastructure must also consider public health infrastructure. Sex workers are part of the society, you are not going to Jesus or Mohammed it away. The options needed are opportunities to work with the women and their daughters but most importantly, Uganda needs and upgrade in the condom factory sector. Uganda needs to take a page from Southeast Asian nations that manufacture their own condoms and now sell their brands throughout Asia.

The lack of self-reliance in Uganda by Uganda in addition to the codependency relationship with the United States is going to cost Uganda a lot.

The current U.S Administration decision to reinforce the global gag rule “Mexico City Policy” means Uganda sex workers have no access to condoms. Do you know in Uganda, sex workers wash and dry their condoms to reuse them?
 

We touched on African Medical Liberties last year, but at the end of this 

Now you can easily argue why is an immediate issue for the United States to help Uganda? 

MEANWHILE IN ASIA

SOUTH KOREA: THE BIRD FLU & THE OLYMPICS

Since late December, South Korea has confirmed cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) but it is becoming troubling with the Olympics around the corner. The earlier cases were found in a duck farm. Last year, the country slaughtered more than 30 million birds to contain the worst predicted outbreak of avian flu in the country’s history. No human cases have been reported since last year. 

“The virus has spread mainly in North and South Jeolla Province with nine highly pathogenic cases since mid-November, but the first outbreak in Gyeonggi Province prompted stronger quarantine measures as the area is close to Gangwon Province, the host of the PyeongChang Olympics, which runs from Feb. 9-25. ”

— Korea Herald, January 2018

SINGAPORE: ZIKA 

Singapore is on a CDC Level 2 Alert - Practice Enhanced Precautions.  This means the mosquitoes are infected with Zika.  The most vulnerable population with Zika are moms to be. Please look at the infographic below for any questions. 

World Health Organization

You can also contract Zika through any sexual contact. 

See you next PHW

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW)- Africa & Asia Health Check

WHO WEEKLY REPORT: AFRICA

“This feel good R & B jam by the elements goes out to: Namibia, Botswana, Swaiziland, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria and Eritrea for no ongoing events.”

— Water & Cassava

---

AFRICA

“There is a conscious effort here not to touch on issues that occur in or around the United States. However, the United States is a super power state that touches, “influences” all that is on this blue ball we call home. So, time to time, I will have to touch on U.S Foreign Policy, especially with conversations that include South Korea and the continent of Africa. ”

— Behind Water & Cassava

This so called global gag rule has been ongoing, since President Ronald Reagan. It is just with Trump, as with policy and law, it was upgraded.

A loss of over $8 billion in aid will be felt globally and services that are offered from this funding includes: HIV, Malaria, Cervical Cancer, TB, Family Planning, and a host of comprehensives health care needs. Groups that accept funding must stop offering abortion services even if it is legal.

I should point out here that every woman that goes in for services is not getting an abortion. I am not so sure the concern on a uterus and sets of ovaries that are not yours. This fixation on genital parts and reproductive organs and never the proactive health on the organs.

Research on gynecological diseases and disorders??? Sanitary napkins that do not include nail polish remover?? Condom use and research for women?? There are a host of other issues but moving along…….

Comprehensive health care for women includes full family planning services and that includes abortion services. It is ironic, the current administration views killing children in West Asia and Africa making “America Great” again. A fetus gets more sympathy and adoration that its final stage of development.  

Unfortunately, or (Fortunately) the States is the largest donor to all International Reproductive Health Efforts. African Countries have continuously not placed public health on the top list of development. They depend on Medical Diplomacy to take care of their own citizens. The U.S cannot be forced to give aid. The current administration is applying realism to all interactions with other states. What happens to America if some girl in Mozambique or Kenya lacks access to condoms, pills, well woman visits or abortion services? …….

“Therefore, you do not depend or pray to which colonized you. You will and always stay a slave.”

— Biko and 'dem tried to warn you...

The Trump administration has argued that forcing America to give aid that includes abortion services is Western Cultural Imperialism. With all 54 countries that make up the continent of Africa, abortion was only learned from westerners. I appreciate the insult inside the insult.

“…. Cultural Imperialism for Medical Aid now you say? My goodness, what do you call constantly raping the land of all resources, putting in “applicable heads of state”, Ah yes! Stealing people??? Could you please leave all together and return raw materials as you leave?....”

— Everyone below the Equator

Which African Countries will be affected?

Check out the map below.

EBOLA & CORRUPTION

Apparently all three countires lost over $6 million due to corruption during the Ebola epidemic. 

AIR POLLUTION AND AFRICA

“Air pollution may kill more Africans than HIV/AIDS”

— Shut the Front Door, No way!!! Who the Hell?? What..

WHAT YOU ARE TOLD ABOUT BIO MASS

ASIA

THAILAND

We touched on this briefly last PHW, but there is a drug resistant form of Malaria that has developed from Cambodia and is spreading to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. How is Thailand dealing?

CHINA

Uyghurs: Muslim Minority

China is offering free health care that includes wrap around services for a minority group in China known as the Uyghurs. With the disguise of using applied public health, China is collecting and storing DNA samples that includes biometric data to keep track of the Ugyhurs population.

OUR PINK NEWS IN ASIA- QUEER RIGHTS IN ASIA

JAPAN

ARE YOU OVER 60? MOVE TO JAPAN

Once again, Japan is the best country in Asia for older people to live. If you stay or have visited Japan, this is not surprising at all. I do still see a need for more interactive programs that target the senior population.

KAROSHI & MENTAL HEALTH IN JAPAN

Japan is notorious for incredible working hours that care less of your mental health and more on your dedication to get it done. Even if it means this will kill you, that form of death is known as Karoshi. Workers work 80+ hours over time a month, I am familiar with this kind of work hours. I had a lot of interaction with Texas State Troopers, Houston Police, and Clearlake Police, as I slept on the side of the freeway in my car from one case to the next case. 

I recall making it to a gas station and telling myself if I would just crash for 15 minutes. That ended up to be 1 hour with a police officer banging on my window, asking about my social welfare. After seeing my work ID, he simply said “This job will kill y’all”. I feel the pain and exhaustion of the video below.

A Japanese phenomenon known as "Karoshi," which means "death from overwork," is affecting many young men and women in Japan. Almost 2,000 people in the country committed suicide for reasons related to their job in 2016. Lucy Craft reports from Tokyo.

But it appears a change is coming for Japan…

SOUTH KOREA

ASSISTANCE TO BANGLADESH

South Korea will donate $500,000 to UNFPA Bangladesh to help wth women and girls affected by the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

PILLS,PILLS, PILLS

“Africa Countries,
Do you hear what Kimchi Land knows???
Do you hear what Kimchi Land sings???
South Korea will be investing a bit over $ 3 Billion in their pharmaceutical and health care industries”

— Do you Hear What I Hear with a Twist?

Sister Whitney to all....

MENTAL HEALTH in south korea- ‎한,정

There is room for intersectionality in discussions of mental health. However, the gravity and complexes with mental health surrounding South Korea is heartbreaking and complexing. I am a product of Africa and the diaspora and I appreciate minding my space with some topics.
I can only give my opinions and thought on this issue from my professional and academic background. However even in critiquing the issue of mental health, I am coming from the lenses of the ‘Asian Diaspora”. This is not sufficient, I think to truly critique the issue however as an applied public health professional, I shall try with framework.

South Korea has a unique psychology (Han,  ‎한) that shapes the social dynamics of the society. These pressures of “making it” might be responsible for why less than 48 hours ago, the leader of the Korean pop group SHINee died by suicide.

South Korea is one of the most advanced countries on earth but sadly the stigma behind mental health puts the country on the list of countries that do the least for mental health. There is also the case of Jeong ( 정) that requires you to exercise sympathy and empathy, which is why the lack of care and efforts towards mental health is perplexing.

Until next PHW

Water & Cassava will be back on 9/11....

Discussions on....

Mul-Days 

• What is W.A.S.H?
• Why is W.A.S.H important?
• Why are women and children most vulnerable to W.A.S.H?

Cassava Tuesdays: The Kingdom of Morocco- The Tale of the King & Soft Power

• How is the Kingdom using economic incentives, culture, education, and religion to craft soft power?
• What is the draw to Marrakesh?

Public Health Wednesday: Sex, Condoms and Africa- Can’t we all just come together??

“One thing I can tell you is you got to be free”

— Our brother, John Lennon

• What are the quality of African Condoms?
• Can Africans not have sex without the interruption of their civil liberties?
• Condom Campaigns are nice but with all those rubber trees,  how many condom plants does Africa have?
• Why  must the church be the legislating body of sexual health for Africans? 

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan to the rest the world, but not so cool in Africa??? 

“We ney dey hear you abi? Nah wheti be Anime??? Sushi nah lie??? ”

— Water & Cassava

• Japan is not soft or cool in Africa but why is this?