Health

Namibia ranks 13th in Africa for colorectal cancer

"Early detection is critical." WINDHOEK, 13 March – Colorectal cancer (CRC) is on the rise across Africa, with over 70,000 new cases and 46,000 deaths recorded in 2022. While Africa’s overall CRC rates remain below global averages, projections indicate a sharp increase by 2050. Southern Africa, including Namibia, has some of the highest CRC rates on the continent. According to Rolf Hansen, the CEO of the Cancer […]

13 March, 2025 44

Health / Medical

Psychologists connect traumatic brain injury to mental health problems

Dr. Shaun Whittaker Psychologists have cautioned that traumatic brain injury can lead to different mental health challenges, including personality shifts, depression, and anxiety. These issues may result from brain damage, psychological trauma, or a combination of both, according to Windhoek-based psychologist Dr. Shaun Whittaker. Research by Howlett JR, Nelson LD, and Stein MB in Biological Psychiatry further supports this, explaining that TBI can cause a variety of […]

4 March, 2025 52

Dr. Sam Nujoma

Khomas Governor Urges Namibians to Honor Nujoma’s Legacy

Khomas Regional Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua has called on Namibians to honor the legacy of the late Founding Father, Dr. Samuel Daniel Shafiishuna Nujoma, by prioritizing education and health. Reflecting on his contributions, she described him as a selfless leader dedicated to Namibia’s liberation and development. McLeod-Katjirua urged citizens to embody his spirit of service to preserve the freedoms he fought for. She emphasized that Nujoma’s unwavering dedication should serve as […]

15 February, 2025 33 4

South Africa

SA Union Supports Health Minister on National Health Insurance Act Implementation

South Africa's National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union says it supports Health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, in defending the full implementation of the National Health Insurance Act. This follows an article in the City Press, claiming that the ANC plans to table a compromise proposal at the first Cabinet lekgotla on implementing the NHI. This will allegedly be done to appease the partners in the government of national unity. Nehawu’s, […]

16 January, 2025 42

Environment

Ecologist Weighs In On Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Session

Namibia recently hosted the 11th Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Windhoek. The session saw the launch of the Nexus Report, a groundbreaking assessment on the interconnections between biodiversity, water, food, and health. Ecologist Dr. Peter Cuningham:

19 December, 2024 37

Health / Medical

Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, according to a major review of 28 years of research

Keira Burton/Pexels By Sarah Loughran, University of Wollongong and Ken Karipidis, Monash University A systematic review into the potential health effects from radio wave exposure has shown mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer. The review was commissioned by the World Health Organization and is published today in the journal Environment International. Mobile phones are often held against the head during use. And they emit radio waves, […]

4 September, 2024 23

Health / Medical

Eating quickly saves time, but it takes a toll on your health – here’s how

Simona pilolla 2 / Shutterstock By Esther Martínez Miguel, Universidad Nebrija and Silvia Gómez Senent, Universidad Nebrija Our fast-paced modern lives often rob us of time for basic activities like eating. Many of us grab something quick for breakfast on the way out of the house, or wolf down our lunch so we can gain a sliver more time to be productive at work, or to dedicate to our […]

7 August, 2024 25

Health / Medical

3 reasons you feel hungrier and crave comfort foods when the weather turns cold

Klaus Neilson/Pexels By Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland and Emily Burch, Southern Cross University As we move through Autumn, parts of Australia are starting to see cooler weather. For some of us, that can mean increasing feelings of hunger and cravings for “comfort food” such as as pasta, stews and ramen. But what’s happening in our body? 3 things change when it gets cold 1. Our body conserves […]

7 August, 2024 35

Health / Medical

Double whammy antibiotic makes antibiotic resistance much harder – new study

Fahroni/Shutterstock By Tom Smith, Sheffield Hallam University Most antibiotics are natural products of bacteria and other microorganisms from the environment. They are part of a silent chemical warfare among microorganisms in soils, rivers and seas right now. The fact that they are natural products that have been around for millions of years means that even as we discover new antibiotics, there are probably already microorganisms that are resistant to […]

7 August, 2024 19