Category Archives: HEALTH-STYLE

The high cost of having too few pharmacists in SA

South Africa's public healthcare system has too few healthcare workers, especially medical doctors, certain specialists, and theatre nurses. (PeopleImages/Getty)

It’s widely acknowledged that South Africa’s public healthcare system has too few healthcare workers, especially medical doctors, certain specialists, and theatre nurses. Less recognised, however, is the shortage of public sector pharmacists. Spotlight lifts the lid on this until now largely hidden problem – and its impact. There are too few public sector pharmacy posts across South Africa to deliver a comprehensive service, with no clear staffing norms, and an uneven distribution of pharmacists, especially in rural districts. This contributes in part to medicine stockouts and the emergence of deadly hospital-acquired drug-resistant infections. This is according to Dr Andy Gray, a senior lecturer in the Division of Pharmacology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Health Sciences and co-head of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and

Japanese porn stars charging HK$150,000 for sex arrested in Hong Kong

Japanese porn stars charging HK0,000 for sex arrested in Hong Kong

Japanese porn stars are among more than 30 people arrested by Hong Kong and Singaporean police in a crackdown on an international prostitution ring that charged as much as HK$150,000 (US$19,270) for sex. Hong Kong police began investigating a locally controlled syndicate that ran social media platforms promoting Japanese sex workers, using adult film actresses as a selling point and arranging stays in city hotels, according to Chief Inspector Tang Hoi-tung from the organised crime and triad bureau. The syndicate ran provocative photos and covers of adult films to market their services, charging anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars, she said. Some of the actresses showed up at gatherings with local fans and charged up to HK$150,000 for sex, according to the force. After clients

Seeking Serenity? Here are 10 most peaceful countries of 2024

Seeking Serenity? Here are 10 most peaceful countries of 2024

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about a place where life feels calm, and chaos is just a distant memory? If yes, then this list is for you. The Global Peace Index 2024 has unveiled its top 10 most peaceful countries, and trust me, these places are the stuff of dreams. Whether it’s pristine landscapes, […] The post Seeking Serenity? Here are 10 most peaceful countries of 2024 appeared first on The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News.

Dozens unite for Joe Walker remembrance walk, advocatefor safer roads

Walkers gather at the Sheraton Hotel for a victorious photo moment, commemorating a day of unity and resilience.  PHOTO |  GLORIA IRANKUNDA

Monday, November 18, 2024 Walkers gather at the Sheraton Hotel for a victorious photo moment, commemorating a day of unity and resilience.  PHOTO |  GLORIA IRANKUNDA What you need to know: Over 300 participants, including Uganda’s renowned football star Denis Onyango, joined forces to advocate for safer roads and responsible driving. The walk offered three distance options: 10, 20, or 60 kilometres On November 17, Uganda witnessed an extraordinary display of solidarity as hundreds gathered for the second annual Joe Walker Remembrance Walk. This poignant event honours lives lost to road crashes and raises vital awareness about road safety. Over 300 participants, including Uganda’s renowned football star Denis Onyango, joined forces to advocate for safer roads and responsible driving. The walk offered three distance options: 10, 20, or 60 kilometres.

Kisumu to be positioned as alternative beach and watersports destination in Kenya

Kisumu residents take part in a boat racing event at Lake Victoria. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu residents take part in a boat racing event at Lake Victoria. [Washington Onyango,Standard] Kisumu is set to become a key alternative beach and watersports hub, as the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife partners with the Kisumu County Government and private sector stakeholders to boost tourism in the region. Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa highlighted the immense potential of the region’s lake ecosystem as an attractive option for both domestic and international tourists, serving as an alternative to Kenya’s coastal beach destinations. During a tour of Kisumu’s key tourist attractions, including Ndere Island and Kit Mikayi, as part of the ongoing Kenya Tourism Week celebrations, PS Ololtuaa emphasized the need to diversify the country’s tourism offerings. Tourism PS John Ololtuaa aboard the water bus headed to Ndere Island which is

3,000 elderly people hosted for Christmas lunch

3,000 elderly people hosted for Christmas lunch

Maria David A TOTAL of 3,000 elderly people from Rehoboth and surrounding farms were hosted for the 20th Annual Pre-Christmas Lunch. The event was attended by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who also had the pleasure of meeting a 118-year-old woman, the oldest citizen of Rehoboth. According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, this initiative complements the government’s efforts to provide care and support to the elderly and other vulnerable members of society who need special care. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of caring within communities. “It is said that a nation’s civilization is measured not by the level of its economic advancement, but by the way it cares for its vulnerable,” she said. She further explained that it is in this spirit that the government has adopted a comprehensive welfare program

Livestock experts ask Kenyans to allow their livestock to be vaccinated

Livestock experts ask Kenyans to allow their livestock to be vaccinated

The State Department for Livestock Development has asked Kenyans to allow the vaccination of 22 million cattle against foot and mouth disease (FMD) and 50 million sheep and goats against peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Speaking during a press conference in Mombasa, Secretary Administration at the State Department Joshua Chepchieng said that the control and management of livestock diseases is by way of treatment and vaccination which is the accepted global scientific protocol. Dr Chepchieng noted that, the rolling out of livestock vaccinations in the country is aimed at controlling and eradicating livestock diseases, that have caused and continue to cause great economic losses, not only to livestock dependent communities but the national economy. He said that the Director of Veterinary Services has been mandated in liaison with the county counterparts

‘London-style’ buses promised nationwide with 1bn boost

‘London-style’ buses promised nationwide with 1bn boost

Almost £1bn in funding will go to delivering London-style buses nationwide as part of a massive Budget boost, the government has promised. The Department for Transport (DfT) has given more details on its plans for 2025 after announcing the funding last month. It has promised to deliver what it calls “London-style” services to every corner of the country, and said funding would be allocated based on levels of deprivation and population, instead of making areas compete for investment as it has in previous years. The DfT says Leicester, the Isle of Wight, Torbay, Southend, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to receive “unprecedented” levels of funding. In total, there will be £712m for local authorities to improve services, alongside a further £243m for bus operators. About 3.4 million people in England

Bangladesh deaths from dengue cross 400 as outbreak worsens

Bangladesh deaths from dengue cross 400 as outbreak worsens

Bangladesh is battling its worst outbreak of dengue fever in years, with more than 400 deaths as rising temperatures and a longer monsoon season drive a surge in infections, leaving hospitals struggling to cope, particularly in urban areas. At least 407 people have died from related complications in 2024, with 78,595 patients admitted to hospitals nationwide, the latest official figures show. By mid-November, 4,173 patients were being treated, with 1,835 of them in Dhaka, the capital, and 2,338 elsewhere. A patient suffering from dengue fever is being treated at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka. File photo: AFP “We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. Shifting weather patterns caused by climate change provided optimal conditions

‘Genuine impasse’ at top of government about social care plan – so what next?

‘Genuine impasse’ at top of government about social care plan – so what next?

‘Genuine impasse’ at top of government about social care plan – so what next? BBC Sir Keir Starmer’s first five months have produced little sign of a plan for Labour’s promised National Care Service – and now I’m told there is a “genuine impasse” at the top of government over what to do about social care. Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly acknowledges “we can’t solve the NHS crisis” without improving what a government source describes as an “appalling” situation, in a system that’s meant to look after vulnerable and elderly adults in England. But multiple sources tell me the Treasury is deeply nervous about the cost and that the prime minister is yet to make a decision on how to proceed. Talks have so far failed to decide even whether

Pharmacist Betty, 91, retires after 59 years

Pharmacist Betty, 91, retires after 59 years

Betty Pritchard has finally decided to retire from her job at a community pharmacy after 59 years – and at the age of 91. She started at Watkin-Davies in Bettws, Newport, in 1965 but had spent the previous 13 years working at another pharmacy. Mrs Pritchard, from Bassaleg, Newport, regularly took two buses to work and back each day but has now decided to call it a day. “I’m so lucky to have had this job,” she said. Mrs Pritchard previously told BBC News she decided to work long after many peers had put their feet up because she had “seen so many people retire and fall apart”. She also recalled how pharmacies had changed during her career. “When I first started work, you could buy poppy heads – opium,”

Davina McCall having surgery for rare benign brain tumour

Davina McCall said she would be in hospital for about nine days after the operation

Getty Images Davina McCall said she would be in hospital for about nine days after the operation Davina McCall is having surgery to remove a brain tumour, she has revealed. The TV presenter, 57, posted a video on Instagram to say she had been diagnosed with a rare type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst. A benign tumour is not cancerous, but such cysts tend to grow slowly, according to the Brains Trust charity. “It needs to come out because if it grows, it would be bad,” McCall said, adding: “So say a prayer for me. I am in good spirits.” In her video, she explained that the tumour had been found by chance. “A few months ago, I did a menopause talk for a company and they offered

Africa CDC endorses first locally made Mpox test from Morocco

Africa CDC endorses first locally made Mpox test from Morocco

NAIROBI Kenya, Nov 14- Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee has endorsed first ever locally made Monkey Pox (Mpox) test from Morocco in efforts to boost Africa’s health self-reliance and outbreak response. In a statement on X, CDC announced that real-time PCR test for Mpox, developed in Morocco will test quickly detects pathogen of DNA in blood, saliva or tissue. “@AfricaCDC’s Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC) has endorsed #Morocco’s first locally made Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCRTest) for Mpox—boosting Africa’s health self-reliance and outbreak response. This test quickly detects pathogen #DNA in blood, saliva or tissue,” read the statement. “This major milestone aligns with the African Union’s continental initiative to strengthen the self-sufficiency of African public health systems, enhancing the continent’s capacity for disease preparedness and response.” This

What Happens To Student Loans If Trump Shuts Down The Education Department?

What Happens To Student Loans If Trump Shuts Down The Education Department?

We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more. President-Elect Donald Trump has stated numerous times that, once he takes office, he plans to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. The department provides roughly 10% of K-12 funding and enforces federal civil rights in schools. However, it plays a much larger role in financing higher education. Managing approximately $1.5 trillion in student loan debt for over 40 million borrowers, the Education Department represents one of the largest holders of consumer debt in the country. “I’m going to close the Department of Education and move education back to the states,” Trump pledged at a campaign rally in September. Already

State to spend Sh1.2 bn to upgrade seven informal settlements in Kilifi

The national government has commenced the upgrading of seven informal settlements in Kilifi County through projects implemented under the second Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP 2) to the tune of Sh1.2 billion.

The national government has commenced the upgrading of seven informal settlements in Kilifi County through projects implemented under the second Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP 2) to the tune of Sh1.2 billion. The World Bank-funded infrastructural projects being implemented in conjunction with the Kilifi County Government will see the targeted informal settlements benefit from 13 kilometres of tarmac roads and walkways, drainage systems, streetlights, and 250 toilets, among others. One of the roads being constructed at the Baya Magonzi informal settlement in Kilifi town. The national government, though KISIP, is spending Sh1.2 billion to upgrade seven informal settlements in Kilifi and Malindi towns of Kilifi County. Kilifi Housing and Urban Development Chief Officer Ali Abubakar said the projects are underway in Kibaoni, Baya Magonzi, Kalolo, Mtaani, and Kisumu Ndogo