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

ASIA 

INDIA SAYS YES TO LABELS

“About 6 million people die of tobacco use globally every year and India accounts for 1/6th of the total deaths. ”

— Sanchita, Sharma Health & Science Editor for Hindustan Times

The Independent

 A solid blow but not a final one from India’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided to put some much-needed brakes with the issue of larger health warnings on cigarettes sold in India, like the picture below. A lower court had ruled in favor for Tobacco Hero, Phillip Morris International to not increase the current surface available for health warnings. They will be back in court on March 12th.

THE PHILIPPINES

“In 2016, Obesity cost the Philippines between $500 million and $1 billion, or equivalent to between 4 percent and 8 percent of its health-care spending. ”

— Business Mirror, 2016

The Philippine government will impose higher taxes on sugar sweetened drinks as a way to target obesity. 

JAPAN APPROVES COCA-COLA FOR LAXATIVES

Nope, Japan has a better answer for your constipation needs

The Japanese government has approved of this new Coca Cola has a healthy laxative. It helps to suppress fat and make you do the number 2. We should note here it is for the elderly, but you guess right, young people are consuming the beverage. Anyway, if you drink more than one a day, you can guess the consequences 

Dr. David Machiels, product development director, R&D, Coca-Cola Asia Pacific

Coca-Cola has released a laxative-enhanced and purportedly healthy cola beverage in Japan.

THAILAND UPDATE ON WHITENING THE PENIS TREND

So about the Whitening of the Penis situation, the Minister of Health relesed a Twitter statement few days ago

““Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn of the Thai Health Ministry said: “Penis laser whitening is not necessary, wastes money and may give more negative effects than positive ones.””

— Twitter

AFRICA

South Sudan is starting the year with suspected cases of (VHFs)Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Nigeria with Meningitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis in São Tomé and Príncipe. 

“Viral haemorrhagic fever is a general term for a severe illness, sometimes associated with bleeding, that may be caused by a number of viruses. The term is usually applied to disease caused by Arenaviridae (Lassa fever, Junin and Machupo), Bunyaviridae (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley Fever, Hantaan haemorrhagic fevers), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg) and Flaviviridae (yellow fever, dengue, Omsk haemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur forest disease).”

— World Health Organization

Google this word  "Necrotizing Fasciitis" for photos, be warned the photos are VERY GRAPHIC

ZAMBIA

CHOLERA

What is cholera? What are the symptoms? Is there a vaccine? Watch the video and find out more information.

Day 10 into 2018, Zambia has a cumulative total of 2905 cholera cases and a total of 67 deaths. The Zambian government has placed curfews, banned meetings at public gatherings such as churches and schools. In addition to these reactive methods to the Cholera public health emergency, the Zambian government has stopped issuing Zambian passports and birth certificates.
 

“Over 124 infections were documented in 24 hours from January 8th- January 9th.”

Meanwhile lack of sanitation is causing a cholera crisis in Zambia. The government has taken extraordinary measures in the capital Lusaka to wipe out the disease. And as Mutuna Chanda reports, the outbreak isn't just affecting people's health.

Economic consequences to the reactionary behaviors of Zambia’s lack of dealing with the issues and not the symptoms, is neighboring country of Namibia banning all food imports from Zambia. Zambia is one of Namibia’s top four trading partners, exports to Namibia totaled around $322 million in 2016.

THE REAL ISSUE

 

UPDATE ON MADAGASCAR AND THE PLAGUE

We touched on Madagascar and the plague some months back, you can catch up here

Director General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has included an outline for a plague free Madagascar that includes a request for an added $4 million in funding.

See you next PHW

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

        Join us at Water & Cassva in observing Cervical Health Awareness Month

Actress Cote de Pablo talks about her own cervical cancer scare and shares advice for other women. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/cote_video_english_60_925629.mp4

This public service announcement encourages women to learn the symptoms of gynecologic cancer and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/ayl_video_english_30_925657.mp4

Hello, World!

WHO WEEKLY REPORT-AFRICA

Zambia ended the year fighting Cholera. South Africa is still struggling with Listeriosis .

“ Botswana, Congo, Gabon, Eritrea, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Algeria ended 2017, with no PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. ”

— WHO-AFRICA

RWANDA AND TANZANIA-DRONE TECHNOLOGY "UBER-ING BLOOD"

Both countries start 2018 with applying new technology towards healthcare access for all. Drone deliveries of blood to hospitals within the network are 45 minutes compared to the normal 4 hours. Zipline International has partnered with Tanzania to deliver 2,000 lifesaving deliveries to over 1,000 health facilities, that is about 10 million people.  

To know more about Zipline International

ASIA

MALAYSIA AND A CASE OF MERS-CoV

Malaysia started 2018 with the case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV).  A man returning from Saudi Arabia tested postive for the virus, he was reported to be in stable condition. 

“Sexual Health is part of Public Health. ”

— Water & Cassava

THAILAND- WHITE PENIS ENVY

The first read is comical but then it gets sad. I mean of all the needs in Thailand, A White Penis? Questions come to mind such as: What can a white penis do that a colored penis cannot carry out? Then you must go back to the space of Orientalism!

“What power does the white penis hold in global south spaces?”

— Water & Cassava asking our Asian Brothers, WTH?

It is troublesome that a Thai Penis does not feel as loved compared to a White Penis. But  that there is a technology to whiten the penis, I just kept saying......

does the asian penis speak?

Therefore, we need more Sex Therapist of Color from Asian spaces and African spaces as well. There is an obvious need to deconstruct the Asian Penis and this platform can only go so far into the Orientalism stereotypes that have historically hunted Asian men.

However behind this blog, is a by-product of the West. I can say, Asian men are often viewed through western media has either the Geek or Kung Fu hero. In addition, I am not so sure on just how this happened, but western media has desexualized Asian men.

Asian Media has also fueled this complex of whiteness in their spaces as well. Hallyu to Bollywood, we have a colored problem and we need to talk.
 

FRANTZ FANON NEEDS YOU TO KNOW

Post Colonial Theorist, Psychiatrist Frantz Fanon.

Frantz Fanon spoke of this penis issue and complexes in White Society. Brother Frantz expressed that white men see not a black man but a black penis. There is nothing more to the Black man just a penis. I am afraid with our Asian brothers, there is no penis. Penis is only visible if it is white. 

Seriously love your sexual organs as they are, good grief we need to decolonize our beds as well!

To read more about Brother Frantz and the Black Penis in Society "Black Skin, White Masks"

To read more on this article on Whitening of the penis in Thailand. 

To learn more on Asian Sexuality and Narratives from an Academic lens, check out The Intersections Journal: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific.
 

To learn more on Black Sexual Narratives from an Academic lens, check out the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships.

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

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!