Africa From eco-friendly roofing and waste collection to AI-powered healthcare and farming, 2024 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation finalists revealed Four innovators from Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire and Uganda have been selected from a shortlist of 16 to compete for the £50,000 Africa Prize in its tenth anniversary year · Their innovations address recycling in construction, AI tools for healthcare and farming, and reengineered waste collection · The three runners up will each receive £15,000, and a £5,000 prize – titled ‘One to Watch’ – will be awarded to […] todayMay 14, 2024 27
insert_link Health / Medical WHO says vaccine patches could revolutionise measles prevention A vaccine patch could be a safe and effective alternative way to protect young children against measles, a trial by the World Health Organisation in The Gambia has suggested. Dr. Birgit Giersing, team lead at the WHO vaccine product and delivery research unit to UN News that the patches could be a major breakthrough in protecting vulnerable populations from preventable diseases. todayMay 13, 2024 34
insert_link Health / Medical Becoming a dad can be scary. Here’s how to be the best father for your kids By nurturing strong father-child attachment, fathers contribute to the growth, resilience and happiness of their children. Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images By Tawanda Makusha, Human Sciences Research Council It is natural to feel apprehensive about the responsibilities that come with parenthood – the financial obligations, the emotional and practical support, and the lifelong commitment. And parenting takes many forms. In my case I became a father for the first […] todayMay 13, 2024 18
insert_link Health / Medical AstraZeneca vaccine withdrawn globally over side effect AstraZeneca has admitted in court documents that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed in collaboration with Oxford University and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. todayMay 9, 2024 64
insert_link 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. todayMay 9, 2024 93
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia commended in HIV and Hepatitis B battle By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Namibia is making significant strides in combating the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B from mother to child, showcasing the effectiveness of government-led initiatives in addressing these two global health challenges, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). On Monday (May 6), the WHO awarded Namibia with “silver tier” and “bronze tier” certifications for its progressive trends towards reducing hepatitis […] todayMay 8, 2024 36
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia targets climate impact on maternal health for International Midwives Day Namibia will mark International Midwives Day on Saturday, 11 May 2024. This year's theme aligns with the core objectives of COP28 and focuses on strategies to improve the health and status of women. Annaloice Penduka, a Board member and Treasurer of the Independent Midwives Association of Namibia, as well as an Advanced Midwife and Lecturer at IUM, says that Namibia's emphasis will be on the effects of climate change on […] todayMay 7, 2024 44
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia outperforms region in public health The Namibian government, in partnership with the WHO, unveiled the African Health Workforce Investment Charter on 6 May at the inaugural Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum. The charter's launch signified a coordinated effort to bolster investments in health workforce education, employment, and retention, with a specific focus on reducing disparities and enhancing health outcomes, particularly in underserved regions. Attended by about 170 delegates, including ministers of health, labor and finance […] todayMay 7, 2024 52
insert_link Health / Medical Caesarean births: South Africa’s rates are too high – they can be dangerous for mothers and babies By Priya Soma-Pillay, University of Pretoria and Andre Van Niekerk, University of Pretoria A caesarean section is an important surgical intervention that can save the lives of mother and baby. Caesarean sections are essential in complicated labours such as prolonged or obstructed labour or if the baby is distressed. The World Health Organization says that while “every effort should be made to provide a caesarean section […] todayMay 7, 2024 22
