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

AFRICA: EBOLA & MALARIA

THE NEVER ENDING CASE OF EBOLA: DRC & UGANDA

Uploaded by BBC News BBC World on 2019-06-07.

Infected boy from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is now being treated in Uganda with Ebola.

The Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Ebola on the border of the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Health Security is a major concern for African states but yet majority of African States don’t include Health Security concerns in their foreign policy objectives. The border between both countries need constant testing on site for anyone coming into the country.

During the MERS outbreak, Japan made travelers go through rigorous screenings before entry. In some cases, depending on the country, Japan simply did not allow entry. Proactive measures in health security might not be PC but such measures will save lives and the economy.

The cases of Ebola in the DRC this week show a decrease(54 cases) compared to the 88 cases reported two weeks ago.

ALGERIA

Source: ISS Africa

Algeria is currently between the process of revolution and the growing pains towards the democracy transition. However, Algeria is now the fourth African country to be declared “MALARIA FREE”. The other African countries declared Malaria free are: Lesotho, Mauritius and Seychelles. This is worth celebrating in the fog of war.

ASIA- PAKISTAN HAS A HIV PROBLEM…

This is so beyond tragic, enough money for weapons but none for medical professionals. Irony, so many young brilliant minds leave Pakistan to be doctors in global north countries. My former boss was of Pakistani decent, brilliant and a resume that screamed “Global Health Professional”. The tragedy here is the additional role of stigma.
Public health education is so necessary. It must be communicated in a manner which EVERYONE in the community is clear on the illness/disease. Lastly, countries such as Pakistan refuse to discuss topics such as HIV in open dialogue with the population. Pakistan now has the second growing number of HIV cases in Asia.

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

“SAY NO TO THY SWINE”

Source: Bloomberg

The African Swine Fever is harmless to humans but fatal to pigs. It has been reported in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Cambodia, and North Korea. In China, there was a case of frozen pork dumplings getting pulled from the shelves

There are also stronger consequences in the market with pork stocks

Click below for a current update on the African Swine from FAO

Here is a bit on the transmission of the transmission of the African Swine Fever. It is old but very educational.

http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/disease_asf.asp African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease is not harmful for people - but it does impact rural economies, their sources of income and culinary practices and, of course, a very large numbers of pigs.

“ASF was first documented in Kenya in 1921.

Honestly, it is the labeling of ASF as the Ebola of pigs that makes me cringe ....”

— Why is it called the African Swine Fever?

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

We will catch up more on Friday Ramblings. 

AFRICA

LIBERIA

Liberia and Central Africa Republic have issued health alerts on Monkey Pox outbreaks. Last year we discussed the zoonotic disease Monkey Pox, so if you need to catch up and learn more. 

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Majority of African countries do a very poor job towards investments in health infrastructure. The consequences towards this lack of investment contributes to the exhausting inefficiency of countries providing overall public health services to the public.

There always seems to be an excuse for holding “leaders” accountable towards investing in their country’s public health.
International Non-Governmental Organizations that provide “aide” fuel this destructive attitude and ideology that African leaders ought not to be held accountable because of (Fill in the blank) towards their own public health. You often find such excuses come from those that hail from global north spaces that cannot even grasp the health security issues facing Africa.

It also comes from privileged people that hold roles in leadership within these African states that fear accountability. 

You cannot actively exploit “aide” that cripples your country while concurrently complain on former colonial masters exploiting your space.

At some point in time, African leaders must admit their failure towards building and investing towards their own public health.

COOL INVESTMENT FROM JAPAN 

Read here to understand the role of TICAD as a soft power tool from Japan towards Africa Public Health.

“Do you know by 2022, Africa will need $25billion-$30billion in healthcare investment? Hospitals, Clinics, HealthCare Assets, etc ”

SOUTH AFRICA: UPDATE ON LISTERIA

The cause of Listeria for our South African friends can blamed on bolony/polony.

Source of Listeria for our friends in South Africa

CHINA & BOTSWANA- PUBLIC HEALTH AS A SOFT POWER TOOL

Last year, we touched on Botswana as a country that had so much potential with branding and “soft tools” but the government chooses not to actively invest in such public diplomacy. 


Brush up on Botswana and those soft tools

We touched on 4 neglected pieces that could build a powerful brand for the country. It appears China will apply number 2 as a soft power tool.  

ASIA

JAPAN "Let's talk about Sex"

While Japan has no problem investing in the public health infrastructure of Africa, it is failing miserably in teaching the Japanese youth on sex education.

In discussing Sexual Health Education or (Reproductive Health Education), it is absolutely forbidden for teachers to mention the following: Intercourse, Birth Control and Abortion. 

Catch up more on the dilemma of talking about sex in Japan. 

THAILAND: SUPER GONORRHEA "THE CLAP"

“If you spread the Clap....is it called the applause?”

— Public Health Wednesdays bringing the humor in Sex

Public health officials say the world's first confirmed case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea has been reported in the U.K. Health experts have expressed concern for some time about the rise of drug-resistant strains of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“Do you know that a person can contract Neisseria gonorrhoeae AKA gonorrhea outside of sexual contact (Vaginal, Oral, or Anal Intercourse)?

Skin to skin contact (with no sexual activity) can also pass the clap....”

Our Advice: Always use your umbrella no matter the enviroment. 

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

We will be back next #PHW

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. 

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

ASIA

JAPAN HAS A FUGU PROBLEM

This is the Fugu Fish, very few chefs can prepare this fish without killing you. It is also known as a Blowfish.

Food & Poison 

A grocer at Gamagori, Japan accidentally sold some of the poisonous parts and the city is now on high alert. Fugu is a winter delicacy and a very expensive one. A blow fish will take you back $100-$200. I have never tried but I must admit it is very tempting as I enjoy sushi. I never try it because... Well mortality is a blow.
 

AFRICA

What's new?

Chikungunya in Kenya

Cholera in Malawi and Zambia

Suspected Rift Valley fever in South Sudan (Viral Haemorrhagic Fever)

NAMIBIA-HEPATITIS E

DO YOU KNOW YOU ABC'S?

Namibia has reported over 200 cases of Hepatitis E and the numbers are at risk of increasing

 

UGANDA-CRIMEAN-CONGO FEVER

January 5th....

January 14th

Yesterday NTV reported that one person with symptoms of the deadly Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever had been placed under isolation at Kiwoko Hospital in Nakaseke District. Documents obtained from Kiwoko Hospital indeed showed that the young boy was exhibiting symptoms of the deadly disease.

FAKE MEDICINE IN AFRICA 

World Health Organization (WHO) report counterfeit medicine is responsible for about 100,000 deaths a year in Africa. A 2016 report from Sanofi pharmaceutical discovered that counterfeit medicines laboratories that target the African market are in China, Indonesia, Ukraine, and Poland. 

The need for such counterfeit medicine in global south spaces or developing countries in Africa, is a direct result of countries that do not reimbursed their governments for medical expenses. 

Accountability goes back to African countries that lack their definitions of just what counterfeit medicine is, more African actors are needed in the pharmaceutical industries not just as consumers but as manufacturers, better regulations, and enforceable policies on legal enforcement for the sellers and manufacturers. 

A Chinese policeman walks across a pile of fake medicines seized in Beijing. The rapid growth of Internet commerce has led to an explosion of counterfeit drugs sold around the world, with China believed to be the biggest source of fake medicines in the world.
Source: AFP/GETTY

“Substandard also called “out of specification”, these are authorized medical products that fail to meet either their quality standards or specifications, or both.

Unregistered/unlicensed medical products that have not undergone evaluation and/or approval by the National or Regional Regulatory Authority for the market in which they are marketed/distributed or used, subject to permitted conditions under national or regional regulation and legislation.

Falsified medical products that deliberately/fraudulently misrepresent their identity, composition or source.””

— WHO (Substandard and falsified medical products)AKACounterfit Drugs

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