In climate-related flooding, a Ugandan river turns poisonous

In climate-related flooding, a Ugandan river turns poisonous

By Ashoka Mukpo Uganda’s Nyamwamba river, in the Rwenzori Mountains, has begun to flood catastrophically in recent years, partly due to climate change. Along the river are copper tailings pools from an old Canadian mining operation, which are becoming increasingly eroded by the flooding. According to a series of studies, these tailings have been washing into the water supply and soil of the Nyamwamba River Basin, contaminating human tissue, food […]

March 11, 2024 67

Health / Medical

Global obesity rates double among adults, quadruple among children

The number of obese people worldwide has surpassed one billion, according to global analysis. Research published by The Lancet journal shows 879 million adults and 159 million children were obese in 2022 - the most recent year included in the analysis. The data shows that globally, obesity rates among children and adolescents quadrupled from 1990 to 2022, while rates among adults more than doubled. The numbers, according to local Dietician […]

March 4, 2024 39

Africa

Antibiotic use on Kenya’s dairy farms is putting consumers and animals at risk

By Dishon Muloi, International Livestock Research Institute and Arshnee Moodley, CGIAR System Organization Farmers often use antibiotics to keep their livestock healthy. They’re sometimes used as “quick fixes”, to avoid more costly management measures like regular disinfection, waste management, routine vaccination or provision of clean drinking water. Animal husbandry now accounts for about two thirds of the global consumption of antibiotics. As livestock and fish production […]

February 22, 2024 16

Health / Medical

Health ministry urges caution amid Covid-19 increase in Rehoboth

Ministry of Health Executive Director, Ben Nangombe has urged the public to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures, especially when attending memorial services for the late President Hage Geingob. This comes after a surge in COVID-19 cases at two schools in Rehoboth, with 20 reported cases since February 8th. Nangombe has confirmed that the cases are clustered in Rehoboth and have not spread to other parts of the country.

February 19, 2024 50

Health / Medical

HIV among older South Africans in rural areas: big study shows there’s a problem that’s being neglected

By Jen Manne-Goehler, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive Casas, University of the Witwatersrand; Julia Rohr, Harvard University; Kathleen Kahn, University of the Witwatersrand; Nomsa Mahlalela, University of the Witwatersrand, and Till Bärnighausen, University of Heidelberg South Africa continues to have a high prevalence of HIV among all age groups. About 8.2 million people or 13.7% of the population live with HIV, one […]

February 19, 2024 20

Environment

Bangkok says work from home as pollution blankets city

Bangkok city employees have been told to work from home to avoid harmful air pollution, as a layer of noxious haze blanketed the Thai capital on Thursday. City authorities asked for cooperation from employers to help workers in the city of about 11 million people avoid the pollution, which is expected to last into Friday. The air monitoring website IQAir ranked Bangkok among the 10 most polluted cities […]

February 15, 2024 14

Africa

Nigeria’s street food: tasty but toxic? Expert shares advice to make it safer

By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham In the lively streets of Nigeria’s cities, where delicious street food is a daily delight, a wide variety of food can be bought and consumed instantly. From the sizzling suya snack in Abuja to the aromatic jollof rice in Lagos, street food has become an integral part of Nigerian life. However, beneath these enticing flavours lies a critical question of public safety […]

February 9, 2024 43

Africa

Uganda record increase in Covi-19 cases

Uganda's Health Ministry has issued a warning following a recent surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The government has re-introduced preventive measures in some of the worst affected areas, adding the disease remains a threat. Isabel Nakirya reports.

February 7, 2024 36

Africa

Cholera vaccine push underway in southern Africa

The World Health Organization has warned that cholera cases are increasing globally, and there’s been an unprecedented spike in Africa. Dr. Fiona Braka from WHO’s regional office in Brazzaville, Congo, said that eastern and southern Africa have been badly affected. In just the first four weeks of the year, 10 African countries reported more than 26,000 cases and 700 deaths.

February 7, 2024 52