Kenya floods raise cholera risk as WHO records 44 cases

Kenya floods raise cholera risk as WHO records 44 cases

At least 44 cholera cases have been reported in Kenya’s Tana River county, as flooding raises the risk of the spread of water-borne diseases. A statement by the World Health Organisation which cites the numbers, says Kenyan officials supported by WHO and other agencies have been monitoring the health situation and response around the country in the wake of the floods. The flooding, according to BBC Africa has affected more […]

May 9, 2024 7

Health / Medical

AstraZeneca vaccine withdrawn globally over side effect

AstraZeneca has admitted in court documents that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed in collaboration with Oxford University and manufactured as Covishield in India, can cause a rare and dangerous side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome. Pharmaceutical giant on Wednesday further announced the global withdrawal of its vaccine. The Serum Institute and the Indian government are yet to make a comment on the development.

May 9, 2024 72

Namibia

NUST launches anti-violence app

An app aimed at preventing violence has been launched as an initiative of the Namibia University of Science and Technology UNESCO Research Chair on Gender and Digital Technologies, marking a significant step in the fight against violence. The app was launched by the Minister Justice, Yvonne Dausab in the capital on Wednesday, 8 May 2024. Dr. Anna Matros-Goreses, Executive Director of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships at NUST shares the details.

May 9, 2024 79

Health / Medical

Government launches investigation into death at Katutura clinic

Following the death of a man while waiting for medical assistance at the Katutura Health Centre in Windhoek on Monday night, we asked the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, if the government has initiated investigations into the matter. We've also asked Dr. Shangula how the Ministry plans to alleviate the pressure on clinics like Katutura Health Centre.

May 9, 2024 113

Namibia

Republican Party objects WHO pandemic treaty amendments

Republican Party President Henk Mudge is urging the government to request a postponement of the votes on amendments and the New Pandemic Treaty at the upcoming World Health Assembly meeting. Mudge argues that the World Health Organisation's request for countries to accept the amendments to the International Health Regulations does not align with the principles and guidelines of the United Nations.

May 7, 2024 45

Business / Economics

Private sector credit growth slows

Private sector credit extension experienced a sluggish of 1.3% year-on-year in March, reflecting a slowdown from February’s 1.7% year-on-year and a sharp decline from the 3.9% observed in March 2023. This represents the slowest pace of PSCE growth in the last decade. For the first quarter of 2024, the average annual credit growth further softened to 1.8% year-on-year, compared to 3.2% year-on-year in the same quarter of the previous year. […]

May 7, 2024 34

Africa

Nigeria denies plans for foreign military bases amid regional concerns

Nigeria's government says it has no plan to host foreign military bases within its borders. This follows reports that the government was planning to do so after three West African countries asked French and US troops to leave their country.

May 7, 2024 20

Namibia

Government calls for document submission from Workman’s Compensation beneficiaries

The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation is conducting a payroll audit for workman’s compensation beneficiaries. These funds support civil servants injured on duty or beneficiaries of deceased civil servants. With 310 beneficiaries currently, the Executive Director, Lydia Indombo, stressed the importance of submitting relevant documents by 31 May 2024, warning that failure to do so may lead to the suspension of benefit payments.

May 7, 2024 36

Africa

East Africa braces for more rains

Kenya remains on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Hidaya threatens to dump more torrential rains on East African countries, which recently emerged from three years of historic drought. The heavy rains have caused deadly flooding and landslides that have killed nearly 400 people across the region since March. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson.

May 7, 2024 59