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

AFRICA

MALI

This picture represents the cholera outbreak in 1854 and John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, was able to trace the source and help contain the epidemic.

“Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae”

— CDC (Centers for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

I felt like I wanted Death after contracting Cholera, you look like Death. 

University of Maryland School of Medicine has data to support that giving a stronger single dose of the cholera live oral vaccine can be an effective tool in controlling outbreaks. Normally patients take two doses (PAINFUL DOSES). Mali helped with this research, the 150 Malian participants are key to this new breakthrough in defeating Cholera. Hopefully we do not have a repeat of the events that occurred in the Philippines. The Vaccination was developed by UMSOM's Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and licensed and manufactured by PaxVax.

GHANA

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Johnson & Johnson teamed up with GHANA AIDS, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, and local community partners to provide education and testing for the local community of Koforidua a few days ago. 

JOHNSON & JOHNSON SOFT POWER

Medical Diplomacy(Health Diplomacy) can be so conviencing and seductive. A blind eye would be so thrilled that a multinational coporations paused for a day in December to help with HIV Testing, Education and Wrap around services.  Can you imagine that, HIV/AIDS awareness in December? 

“PAGING JOHNSON & JOHNSON: YOU STILL HAVE A BABY POWDER PROBLEM .....”

— California resident Eva Echeverria’s ovarian cancer, Her $417 million that you owe her, The 4,800 related lawsuits and the extra$300 million you still owe folk in Missouri

Their presence was really to soften the questions and doubts for the clinical study and testing of the new HIV global vaccine.  Yup, A new HIV global vaccine that included 2,600 women from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

Corporations also gain from Soft Power. Soft Power is not just reserved for states in International Relations. Nike continues to make you “Do It”.  This begs the question….

“What the hell are you doing? Why the hell, are you not DOING IT? Nike enjoys $ 30.6 billion in revenue by selling the idea of DOING IT”

— Water & Cassava

African States do not seem to understand that Medical Diplomacy(Health Diplomacy) from International Corporations that come from Global North spaces helps to feed in to the narratives of helping the “Other”.  The narratives of the “other” in Global health kills more people than the disease.  After all the testing, they sell it back to Africa  states making billions in profit. I am not sure why noone finds capitalism and medical diplomacy to be disturbing. 
 

“ Remember our message for PHWs is proactive and not reactive to wellness, right?”

— Water & Cassava

Vaccine epidemiology in Africa must be conducted by Africans. Partipants from African countries in terms of research does not count as full contribution to solving the problem. I am arguing that everything that goes into a Research center for Vaccine epidemiology including the building should be by Africans.  Africans must start to invest heavily into education and reserach towards public health matters that impact their spaces. 

Watch the video of my husband explaining this concept. He was brutally taking away from the community by savage uncivilized barbarians that were nothing but thugs and cowards. I would also like to add that the savage creatures that assassinated my belated husband, American Freedom Fighter/Activist/Political Theorist/Revolutionary/Deputy Chairman of the Black Panther Party (Chicago Chapter) was the Chicago Police Department. He was resisting arrest asleep in bed with his child and partner.

Hampton founded the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party in November 1968 where he immediately established a community service program. This included the provision of free breakfasts for schoolchildren and a medical clinic that did not charge patients for treatment. Hampton also taught political education classes and instigated a community control of police.

WHO REPORT -AFRICA

Uganda can celebrate- No more Marburg virus

Ghana has the case of the H1N1 Flu

South Africa is still trying to sort out Listeriosis 

Zambia has a case of Cholera

Senegal has Dengue fever

ASIA

SPERM STRUGGLES IN CHINA AND INDIA

Last Public Health Wednesday, we mentioned the severity of Air polltuion and brain developement for Southeast Asian infants. Recent reports show that the air pollution in China and India are affecting the quality of sperm for men in the region.
 

BANGLADESH

I am not sure why this is not reported. I do know if there is drama with: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh it will be reported. 

The People's Republic of Bangladesh, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI ( Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and the Vaccine Alliance launched a DTAP childhood immunization campaign for all Rohingya children below 6 years of age living on the Myanmar border.

Childhood Immunizations

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Apparently there is Super Malaria. I swear no one told me of a weak malaria, medium strength malaria and regular malaria. I have suffered from regular malaria and that is just pure hell. I mean you feel like death. 

THIS IS THE DYING PART I WAS TRYING TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU THE EVIL KNOWN AS THE ANOPHELES MOSQUITO. SHE GIVES YOU MALARIA. 

“Female mosquitoes bit you not males. Males are vegetarians. ”

— Water & Cassava

Quinine is BITTER AND NASTYYYY.

The Supermalaria parasite appears to originate from Southeast Asia and it is only a matter of time before Africa gets Supermalaria. This strand is resistant to all current treatment.

UPDATE ON THE PHILIPPINES 

Last week, we reported that the Philippines halted the Dengue Fever vaccination Dengvaxia. The Ministry of Health, will take Sanofi to court for $59 million because Sanofi was not honest about the side effects.

Oh, The real drama is that former President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino II received an invitation from the Senate to attend the next hearing on the vaccine. It was his administration, his okay for Sanofi to carry out the vaccinations and his mess.

           CHINA AND ZAMBIA                    ANYTIME YOU NEED A FRIEND...

Mariah Carey's official music video for 'Anytime You Need A Friend'. Click to listen to Mariah Carey on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/MariahCareySpotify?IQid=MCareyAYNF As featured on Greatest Hits.

So in Africa & Asian Global Health coporation, China will help construct a national public health laboratory in Zambia. Let us wait and see just how this works. Bravo to Zambia for appreciating the severity of their public health issues. 

Before we go, on the behalf of ESE & SEGYE, Water & Cassava, Keeka & Lisu and The Cocoyams & would like you to honor and observe December 12th as Universal Health Coverage Day. 

However, the conversation continues in Tokyo, Japan. The city will host the forum targeting this issue for the entire week of Dec 12th- Dec 15th with the Government of Japan, World Bank, World Health Organization, UNICEF, UHC2030 and JICA as hosts.

See you next PHW!

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.

Uploaded by Kenko Doctor on 2017-05-14.

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

“Trust in me
Trust in me
Put all your trust in me
She’s doin’ morphine
Hoo!”

— KING OF POP, NO ELVIS HERE, MICHAEL J JACKSON

“Public Health is heavy!!!
We must laugh, cry, scream, curse and punch someone!!!
BUT
WE GET WELL NOT ILL”

— Water & Cassava

1800'S Kit that users kept for personal use

Nomally this would be my argument in the United States

“Is Pain a symptom or disease?”

— Privilege Pain free people

THREE YEARS AGO..

The world's seven richest countries consume 84 percent of the world's supply of legal opiates. But in the developing world, just eight percent of patients who need medical morphine have access. Medical morphine costs about two dollars a week per patient.

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

Muldays Mondays: G.W.A.S.H, POOP & ENERGY

“G.W.A.S.H.-Global Water Sanitation and Hygiene”

— Water & Cassava

In September we touched on W.A.S.H and the Finances behind W.A.S.H are a bit complicated

G.W.A.S.H.- ASIA IN NUMBERS

BRIEF TOILET PAPER HISTORY

“The Chinese were using toilet paper as early as the 6th Century?”

— Water & Cassava tries to avoid HI-STORY and Eurocentricity

HERE ARE THE MANY WAYS SOME WIPED THEIR ARSES?
 

“Wealthy Romans -Wool, Rosewater

Public Restrooms in Ancient Rome- A sponge soaked in salt water, on the end of a stick

Middle Ages – Hayballs

Viking Age/England- Discarded sheep and lambs wool

Hawaiians – Coconut Shells

Eskimos – Snow and Tundra moss

India – Left hand and Water

Sailors from Spain/Portugal – Frayed end of an old anchor line

Medieval Europe- Straw, Hay, Grass

United States – Corn Cobs, Mussel Shell, Leaves”

— Toilet Paper World

This picture depicts LUXURY. I am not speaking of the décor and lightening. The luxury is the access to a flushing toilet. They can walk in this space with socks, house slippers or bare feet and they are still going to comfortably take a nice poop. The person that walks into this bathroom will not work on their toes, trying not to touch anything or not do the #1, #2 and #3 at the same time because of the odor. This is also the last part of this blog that might not make you want to puke, so I hope you are not eating?

“In Lao PDR, the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, combined with sanitation marketing tools, led to a 32% increase in sanitation access in 266 villages, eight times faster than the national rural average of 2.6% per year from 2014 to 2016. Through this support, 113 villages were declared open defecation free and almost 40,000 people gained access.”

— The World Bank

“In Ghana, to tackle the challenges of sanitation in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), the World Bank is supporting a multifaceted sanitation intervention. The project includes: subsidies for poor households to buy toilet facilities, construction of a new fecal sludge treatment plant, engagement with private sector financial institutions to encourage creation of loan products for household sanitation, sanitation marketing, mobile money platforms for households to save towards the cost of a toilet, support to local private contractors to build their capacity to deliver toilets at larger scales, and other related initiatives.”

— The World Bank

Ancient Rome Toilets. 

“In India, a US$1.5 billion World Bank loan is supporting the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission in its efforts to ensure that all citizens in rural areas have access to improved sanitation with the goal of ending the practice of open defecation in the country by 2019. The program incentivizes latrine and toilet construction through a focus on changing behaviors and stimulating deman”

— The World Bank

Human Feces for fertilizer, i kind of feel like my life is right here!

I imagine at this point you want to know just how it would work.......

Outhouse, I had to use this in Primary School. #thirdworldstruggles

THE HISTORY OF TOILET & POOPING

“This was brought to you by PBS. You must know, PBS is made possible for viewers like you....”

— Raised on PBS, BBC and SCI-FI

SANITATION

Adequate proper sanitation facilities and the ability to dispose waste appropriately is necessary for overall public health. The results of not having access to suitable sanitation facilities contribute to contaminated water and land that increase risks of various infections and diseases to people living in a community. The inadequate disposal of waste for a community means contaminated food, water to drink and wash.  

Access to proper sanitation improves health, socio-economic development and reduces life-threating WASH related diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and typhoid.
 

“I have had the unique pleasure of contracting cholera, typhoid at the same time. I did the 1-2-3 at the same time and looked like death. ”

— #Thirdworldstruggles

KENYA -FLYING TOILETS AND ECO-SOLUTIONS

Kibera, Kibera, Kibera. Watch this video on W.A.S.H and Pooping

Dealing with Kibera's flying toilets Al Jazeera's Hassan Ghani spends time with several of Kibera's residents examining the impact of the slum's waste crisis and explores the innovative solutions some locals have come up with to tackle the problem.

WHAT IS AN IKOTOILET? SOLUTIONS FROM KENYA

In Africa, 300 million people lack adequate sanitation, causing some of the biggest environmental and health problems facing people living in poor communities. In Kenya, DW eco-ambassador David Kuria's 'Ikotoilet' is helping change that. More eco@africa reports: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/eco-at-africa/s-32686

“In Egypt, the US$550 million Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program for Results is enhancing access to sanitation services for poor people in small towns while addressing the pollution of the Nile from untreated sewage. The Program aims at empowering local service delivery and connecting the rural and small town poor to working sanitation systems in the Delta governorates of Daqahliya, Sharqiya, and Beheira in Lower Egypt.”

— The World Bank

GHANA IS STRUGGLING

Unfortunately, there is problem with open defecation and it is costing the Ghanaian government $79 million annually.  This is also costing the country tourism dollars and will be extremely damaging to a Ghana working on Country Branding and Soft Power. This article goes in depth about the issue. 

“In Mozambique, at the request of the Maputo Municipal Council, inclusive sanitation options have been identified for households not connected to the limited sewerage system. This pilot has led to a request for World Bank financing for urban sanitation projects which will promote sustainable solutions to on-site sanitation. Projects which similarly address the challenges of on-site sanitation at scale are either under implementation or preparation in Ghana, Bangladesh, Benin, Tanzania, Indonesia and Ethiopia, among other countries.”

— The World Bank

TOILET BUSINESS IS BOOMING...

The Toilet Board Coalition brings together experts from business, investment, and the global sanitation community through our platform to cross-fertilise experiences, innovate at all levels, and catalyse the growth of profitable sanitation businesses that deliver sanitation to all. The Toilet Accelerator is a corporate accelerator program to facilitate private sector engagement and mentorship to sanitation businesses and entrepreneurs serving low-income markets.

The need of proper sanitation and hygiene has always been a major concern across the globe, especially in developing countries like India. Even today, 25% of the population in India still defecate in the open. With steady urbanization, heavily populated cities like Mumbai, face serious health menace due to lack of proper sanitation.

WHAT IS GREEN ABOUT POOPING?

“One man’s $%^& is another man’s water supply, fertilizer and energy source”

— Water & Cassava

CLEAN WATER & ELECTRICITY FROM POOP-BILL GATES

Bill Gates recently got to check out the Omniprocessor, an ingenious machine designed and built by Janicki Bioenergy, which turns human waste into water and electricity. In places without good waste treatment plants, it could be a real game-changer. Learn more at http://www.gatesnotes.com

NAKARU, KENYA-POOP AS CHARCOAL
 

A company is manufacturing charcoal from human poo and sawdust collected around Nakuru, Kenya. Locals have embraced its use and are using the briquettes for cooking and other purposes. The project aims to help protect the environment and improve sanitation especially in poor parts of the town.

SANIVATION -KENYA

Sanivation provides affordable sanitation services, collecting waste from their toilets an transforming it into a clean burning alternative to charcoal

SIDEBAR: PORTA POTTY

This contraption from America hell is called a Porta Potty. This hell is very popular during summer time in any major U.S city. Ahhh, yes nothing says, let us be in a festival mood as this evil box. Festival Newbies drink and eat all they see because “OMG, this is so good, you have to try it!”.  Then it is time to use the bathroom, I start reminding this individual just how delicious the food was, and I drink my water slowly. I also start to laugh, I mean the laughter that is loaded with “You are so screwed, and I tried to tell you but no, you wanted to eat and drink with your eyes”.  Oh, if you ever visit NYC in the summertime, DO NOT USE! Hold it and walk to the closest place of business because …. Well, I warned you, Cheers!

Until next Mulday!

Cassava Tuesdays: The Soft Power of Ghana "Home of Culture & Hospitality"

Ghana is home to over 24 million people but to anyone that has ever had the pleasure of visiting two adjectives describe the country: Culture & Hospitality.

Capital: Accra
Official Language Spoken: English
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Currency: Ghana CEDI
President: William (Nana)Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Vice President: Mahamudu Bawumia

Ghana

I am sure by now, you know our term to describe African Soft Power is Cassava Diplomacy! You also understand the application of Soft power right? For a refresher on Soft Power, just look at the last Cassava Tuesday Entry. 

In 1957, Ghana was the wealthiest country in Sub-Sahara Africa and the first to get its independence in West Africa. 

“Did you know that in the late 1950’s, Ghana and South Korea had similar per capita income??”

Ghana focused on socialist protectionist trade policies, in the name of Pan African Socialism. This type of policy is known as imported substitution policy.

“A trade and economic policy which advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production.
In order words: SAY NO or greatly reduce foreign dependency by focusing on local production of industrialized products.”

— What is Import Substitution Policy? Water & Cassava

This is what your chocolate looks like fresh, Cocoa Fruit. 

Cocoa Beans

“So where did things go South for Ghana and North for South Korea?”

— Water & Cassava

Chocolate became the downfall of Ghana. The Ghanaian government used tax revenues from the export of cocoa to subsidize the development of other industries in the country. Their entire hope was on cocoa with the belief that this would support the domestic market and lead to self-sufficiency within the manufactured goods sector. They would be able to export these "Ghanaian made goods" but more importantly, this will allow for sophisticated manufactured goods. 

 But the reality looked more like this: 

 Cocoa farmers in Ghana suffered from the government’s policy of import substitution and price control as it made them poorer. All productive resources because of ISP (Import Substitution Policy) moved away from goods that had an advantage (like cocoa :(..) and into goods that had much higher production costs. Local people in Ghana were forced to pay higher prices for inferior goods and the available productive resources that were available, the government did not put it to good use.
 

“An inferior good is a type of good for which demand declines as the level of income or real GDP in the economy increases. ”

— The Guys and Girls in Investopedia

Farmers needing to survive turned to self-sufficiency farming on land designated for growing cocoa. These inefficiencies and lack of diversity in development will put a brake on the economic development of Ghana. 

“The case of Kimchi Land and Survival ”

— Water & Cassava

South Korea was successful because it focused on open free trade policies. They took all their resources not just a particular sector but EVERYTHING to make this work. South Korea shifted from agriculture to intensive manufactured goods such as footwear and textiles. Open free trade policies led to Koreans getting most of their Won ( Korean currency) and earning more in wages. 
Combine such efforts, country branding in the name of soft power, technologies made in Korea by Koreans, you have Kimchi Diplomacy.  Unfortunately, Ghana never saw country branding as a tool for country development in the past, but it appears a change is coming. 

... BACK TO GHANA & SOFT POWER

Ghana is working on understanding and applying the importance of country branding and the application of this process in their diplomacy.
 

“To the Ghana Diaspora: You share responsibility in country branding and patronizing ”

— Water & Cassava

It appears Ghana will focus on forms of Gastronomy and Tourism as a soft power tool. Soft Power tools in Ghana also include Sports (football). I touched on the role of China and Stadium Diplomacy in Africa in the past. Ghana played an important role with the genesis of this relationship. Read about that here:

So let's watch, the GHANAIAN GOVERNMENT on soft power 

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia invites visitors to Ghana to try various Ghanaian cuisine, especially the country's 'world famous jollof rice'

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku says Ghana's heritage, culture, democratic credentials, respect for rule of law and friendliness makes the country the preferred tourism destination in West Africa

Meanwhile in Seoul, South Korea....

Asian Boss

Ghana has strong ties to South Korea already through popular culture with Ghanaian born actor Sam Okyere. He is very popular in Seoul and is fluent in the language. We will keep tabs on how the Ghana government applies soft power through him. In addition, we will monitor just how Ghana will use soft power tools in the African region and in other Asian Spaces 

Until next Cassava Tuesday!