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. 

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