Health

Before antibiotics were discovered, sunlight was part of the standard treatment for tuberculosis By Melvin Sanicas Vitamin D helps our bodies regulate levels of calcium and phosphate – nutrients that keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. Often, sunlight on our skin can be enough to enable us to produce all …

Ebola in DR Congo’s isolated far north a logistical challenge Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP |  An Ebola outbreak in a remote region in DR Congo’s far north poses a logistical challenge for doctors and aid workers although the sheer remoteness could help limit its spread. The latest outbreak of …

Washington, United States | AFP |  A fast-moving wave of cyberattacks swept the globe Friday, apparently exploiting a flaw exposed in documents leaked from the US National Security Agency. The attacks — which experts said affected dozens of countries — used a technique known as ransomware that locks users’ files …

Ebola epidemic declared in northeast DR Congo, three dead: WHO Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP |  The first Ebola outbreak since the crisis in West Africa that killed 11,300 people has been declared in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization said Friday, after the virus caused three …

The power of musical glue that binds friends and lovers across the ages By Amee Baird & Bill Thompson Many couples have a special song – “our song” – that reminds them of a significant event or time in their relationship, like when they first met, their wedding, or when …

Inside the world of men who remove condoms during sex without consent By Rachel Hosie Removing a condom during sex – known as stealthing – transforms a consensual act into a non-consensual one. It’s a little-discussed form of gender violence, but that is all changing thanks to a new study …

Julie Bukirwa an acid survivor and a mother of two has told of her story of physical, social and emotional pain after the acid burns she suffered. She has called upon government to come up with strict laws on acid sale in Uganda and also heavy punishments for the perpetrators, writes Jimmy Siya. Two …

Monrovia, Liberia | AFP |  More people have died following the outbreak of a mysterious illness that began in southeastern Liberia but has spread to the capital, with 12 unexplained deaths so far, health authorities told AFP Tuesday. Liberia’s health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) both confirmed the …

Children aged five to 17 months old in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi to test it Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have been chosen to test the world’s first malaria vaccine through a pilot program beginning next year, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on April 24. The vaccine, which has partial effectiveness …

Treated mosquito nets are vital in the fight against malaria. But the average lifespan of a net is about four years. The Conversation Africa’s Health and Medicine Editor Joy Wanja Muraya asked Dr Lydiah Kibe to explain how old and torn bed nets are being reused in coastal Kenya.   …