insert_link Health / Medical Climate change risks triggering a spike in infectious disease outbreaks: three reasons why By Wolfgang Preiser, Stellenbosch University; Cheryl Baxter, Stellenbosch University; Houriiyah Tegally, Stellenbosch University; Monika Moir, Stellenbosch University, and Tulio de Oliveira, University of KwaZulu-Natal Climate change is our planet’s most immediate existential threat, and will likely only worsen for the foreseeable future. Among its numerous adverse effects on human health, there is strong evidence linking climate change to infectious disease outbreaks. A recent analysis revealed that of 375 infectious diseases […] todayDecember 13, 2023 12
insert_link Health / Medical NAMBTS urges Namibians to donate blood this festive season In a crucial call to action, the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) is urging all eligible blood donors in the country to make a commitment to donating blood regularly, aiming to ensure the well-being of thousands of patients as the festive season approaches. Despite persistent efforts to replenish blood supplies over the past weeks, NAMBTS reports that the blood reserves remain critically low, particularly for O-positive and O-negative […] todayDecember 8, 2023 5
insert_link Health / Medical HIV, AIDS, and COVID-19 leading causes of death in working-age population A new report from the Namibia Statistics Agency shows that HIV and AIDS, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases remain the leading causes of death among the economically active population in the country. In 2020 alone, HIV and AIDS accounted for 13.5% of deaths among adults aged 15-59, while COVID-19 became the leading cause of death in 2021, accounting for 15.1% of fatalities in this age group. todayDecember 6, 2023 4
insert_link Africa Tackling climate change can improve public health in Africa – new report highlights how By Chris Malley, University of York; Alice Akinyi Kaudia, University of Nairobi; Andriannah Mbandi, South Eastern Kenya University; Kevin Hicks, University of York; Philip Osano, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Youba Sokona, UCL African countries can simultaneously address climate change and improve public health by reducing air pollution. In many cases these actions also have other societal, economic, environment or health benefits. Addressing these together is challenging because they are often […] todayDecember 4, 2023 11
insert_link Business / Economics US Embassy in Namibia Unveils new facility, Cementing Strong Bilateral Ties By Dilia Mazula In a grand celebration, the US Embassy in Namibia hosted a media day to unveil its newly constructed building, marking a significant milestone in the robust relationship between the United States and Namibia. The event was led by US Ambassador, Randy Berry and Scott Sables, the Construction Manager for the project, who provided insights into the innovative features and the impact the facility will have on both […] todayNovember 30, 2023 60
insert_link World UNAIDS urges continued efforts ahead of World AIDS Day With World Aids Day around the corner, the Deputy Executive Director for UNAIDS, Angeli Achrekar, says that despite efforts geared towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the “job isn't done. This as UNAIDS launched its latest report titled 'Let Communities Lead' on Tuesday. todayNovember 29, 2023 4
insert_link Health / Medical How worried should we be about the pneumonia outbreak in China? C Raina MacIntyre, UNSW Sydney; Ashley Quigley, UNSW Sydney; Haley Stone, UNSW Sydney, and Rebecca Dawson, UNSW Sydney Reports of a surge in pneumonia-like illness primarily affecting children in northern China have captured our attention. The last time we heard about a mysterious respiratory outbreak leading to overcrowding in hospitals was the beginning of the COVID pandemic, so it’s not entirely surprising this has caused some alarm. On November 22 […] todayNovember 28, 2023 7
insert_link Health / Medical New Zealand to repeal smoking ban for tax cuts New Zealand’s new government has announced it will scrap the nation’s world-leading smoking ban to help fund tax cuts. According to the BBC, the change has shocked health experts. The legislation, introduced under the previous Jacinda-Ardern-led government, planned to ban cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008. todayNovember 27, 2023 5
insert_link Africa WHO says the arrival of malaria vaccines in Africa are a ‘breakthrough moment’ More than 330,000 doses of the World Health Organisation-recommended RTS,S malaria vaccine have arrived in Cameroon – a historic step towards broader vaccination against one of the deadliest diseases for African children. Dominika Mortimer reports on the development. todayNovember 23, 2023 4
