(Photo credit: Dominic Chavez/ WHO)

This week comes with controversy and numerous calls for the eradication of various diseases by the WHO. Health workers in go on strike in another African country after South Africa’s months long strike. Liberian doctors said they would only treat “critical” patients. Tuberculosis is becoming more resistant among young people and HIV positive individuals, but more effort is being put into research.

WHO sees end to TB

Last week TB was discussed as a “forgotten disease for forgotten people,” but now it seems that the WHO has released a plan that identifies gaps in research to create faster treatment regimes. “There is an urgent need to scale up action against TB – 10 million people, including 4 million women and children, will lose their lives unnecessarily between now and 2015 if we fail,” Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, said.

Its Time to End the Double-Standard of Food Aid

Tido von Schoen-Angerer, Executive Director of Doctors Without Border’s “Access to Essential Medicines Campaign” wrote on Huffington Post about how the US government continues to send sub-standard food supplies to areas in need. The United States, the world’s biggest food aid donor, continues to send the corn-soy flours that do not address childhood malnutrition. You would be hard pressed to find these foods in American grocery stores, because it’s food we would never feed our own children.

More: Can the story on US food aid get any worse from Aid Watch posting Financial Times

“Paradigm” Shift Needed in Health Care, Experts Say

In Africa there needs to be a greater focus on prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension and not just infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, health experts told the 2010 U.S.-Africa Private Sector Health Conference October 6. “Health is as critical as institutions, infrastructure and education for Africa’s economic competitiveness and growth. It is a prerequisite for human energy, entrepreneurship, dynamic markets and a productive society,” said Haskell Ward, vice-president of Seacom Corporation and chairman of the Global Health Strategic and Advisory Committee of the American Cancer Society.

Ending Africa’s Hunger Means Listening to Farmers

Africa is hungry – 240 million people are undernourished. Now, for the first-time, small African farmers have been properly consulted on how to solve the problem of feeding sub-Saharan Africa. Their answers appear to directly repudiate a massive international effort to launch an African Green Revolution funded in large part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “Food and agriculture policy and research tend to ignore the values, needs, knowledge and concerns of the very people who provide the food we all eat – and often serve instead powerful commercial interests such as multinational seed and food retailing companies,” said Michel Pimbert of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), a non-profit research institute based in London.

African cholera outbreak kills 2000

A preventable disease that is linked to the need for clean water sources has continued to kill people in a number of countries. WHO officials report that, as of October 3, there have been 40,468 reported cases of cholera and 1,879 reported cholera deaths in four countries, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. The outbreaks started a few months ago, officials said.

Obesity: an underestimated “silent killer”

There is a new “silent killer” in town. It joins the ranks of malnutrition, malaria, hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, etc. It is obesity. “We are eating our way to the grave’’ and “obesity is rising in rural areas.’’ Adults are overweight or obese, while children are malnourished – a paradox. In the men still look at a potbelly as a badge of pride and success.” The World Health Organization reports that more than one-third of African women and a quarter of African men are estimated to be overweight, and predicted that it will rise to 41 percent and 30 percent respectively in by 2016. Once considered a problem only in high income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings.

Western international development agencies tend to portray the continent of Africa as a basket-case, a place that needs to be saved by the “highly developed” western countries. Contrary to the conventional and paternalistic wisdom, African people throughout the continent represent huge sources of technological, environmental, and – especially – health innovations.  The western world could take a few notes from scientists and inventors throughout the African continent.

For example, the Clay House Project, a non-profit health organization based in Namibia has recently introduced new advanced dry toilet technology to improve sanitation throughout the world. The inventor of the dry toilet, a device that does what the name suggests, provides a sanitary mechanism that does not require precious water supplies and could improve the health of 2.6 billion people. Lack of access to proper sanitation, currently causes major sanitation problems that can be avoided by utilizing the new technology.[1]

Elsewhere, in South Africa, researchers have invented a vaginal gel which radically reduces a woman’s risk of the contraction of HIV.[2] According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, more than 30 million people are living with HIV/AIDS on the planet.  It is well known that South Africa has a high rate of HIV infections.  New technology like this is a truly significant innovation and improvement in South African health.

An especially interesting and impressive environmental innovation was made by a Malawian inventor, William Kamkwamba. When Kamkwamba was 14 years old, he engineered and built an electricity-generating wind

mill for his family from parts he found around his home and village.[3] He taught himself this relatively complex technology from instructions he found in a book. Kamkwamba is featured in an inspiring video produced by the non-profit,

TED, featured here and pictured below.

If the Namibian inventors of dry toilet technology, the South African HIV/AIDS researchers, and innovators like William Kamkwamba can produce and distribute their innovative technology, they could improve the combined health of nearly 3 billion people.  That’s nearly half the world’s population, and three-quarters of the developing world.

[1]Smith, Jana-Mari. “Namibia: Locally Invented Toilet to Improve Lives of Millions.” AllAfrica.com. 5 July 2010

[2] Brown, David. “Gel Found to Reduce AIDS Risk in Women.” The Washington Post. 20 July 2010

[3] http://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamba_on_building_a_windmill.html

[4]http://summerfeyfoovay.com/foovays_cauldron/wpcontent/uploads/2009/07/william_kamkwamba_windmill.jpg

The Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership hasn’t been given out since 2008, but the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has launched the Ibrahim Index as a measure for African countries and their progress. This is an interesting and important development as a number of the indicators for the index focus on health. Check out other interesting news from across the continent. Check it out for yourself!

Reducing poverty with water!

“Water is more valuable than oil, more precious than gold,” said Amy LoPresti, co-founder of Africa Water is Life. “It is the essential ingredient of our life, our culture, our history, and our future. Yet, 1.2 billion people in the world do not have access to clean, consumable water.” Unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation cause an estimated 80 percent of all diseases in the developing world and together kill more people than all forms of violence, including war.

Modified bananas to fight child and maternal mortality

This is a story that really invokes our organization’s name. High rates of chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies of Vitamin A and iron among women and children remain Uganda’s most common malnutrition problems. However, an edible banana could solve this problem.

How fight against Guinea Worm was won

Africa Water News highlights a CNN article that suggests we are close to eradicating the disease. Once called the “forgotten disease for a forgotten people” the Carter Center believes that every country in Africa except Sudan will be rid of the disease.

Healthcare is a Moral Obligation

The ANC’s National Health Insurance scheme has yet again opened up the deep economic divisions in South Africa. The economic divisions are best represented by access and quality of health care. Doctors are very difficult to find in poor, crowded townships and settlements, but major towns with many wealth have centers for plastic surgery. 60% of funds for health services are directed at the 15% of the population which is covered by private health insurance. Only 40% of the funds are used to pay for the public sector that serves 85% of the population.

Medical Education in Africa to receive $1.3million in American Grants

Over the next five years and in partnership with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the department is awarding grants to African institutions in a dozen countries under its Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which works with U.S. medical schools and universities to form a network that includes about 30 regional partners, country health and education ministries, and more than 20 U.S. collaborators.

Ghanaian belief and Healthcare

This article is being featured because of the subject matter. Voice of America (VOA) has a habit of generalizing, especially in Africa and about African people. I suggest reading the interview transcript on how traditional beliefs guide health practices in Ghana, something that I studied during a 6 week study abroad covering disparities in health care. The US health care system could learn a thing or two from the Ghanaian health system.

Hope Expanded Protection Against TB

With a vaccine and drugs available to treat tuberculosis (TB), you would think that it should no longer be a problem. 1.3 million people worldwide died from TB in 2008, according to the World Health Organization most lived in Africa and Southeast Asia. Is this becoming another “forgotten disease for a forgotten people?”

Army Takes Over, Access to HIV Treatment Halted by Strikes in South Africa

As South Africa’s health system is crippled by strikes the Government warns health workers of contributing to murder. HIV/AIDS treatment access has also been halted as the health system ceases to function. Strikers are demanding increased pay due to their insubstantial compensation. Should they be paid more?

Army Medical Teams Move into Strike-Bound Hospitals

Health Minister Warns of Murder as Staff Strike at Hospitals

Strike Jeopardizes HIV Treatment

Government Threatens Action Against Health, Security Strikers

National Public Sector Strike Hits HIV Treatment

Nation Becomes a Victim of its ARV Treatment Success

Public Health Strained by Nurses Strike

Botswana: Acquiring a Taste for Recycled Water

The Water Utilities Corporation in Botswana is breaking ground on a facility to treat waste water in order to supply a water source for the country. Many citizens have expressed disgust at the thought of drinking waste water, but the program holds great potential as water scarcity increases across the continent and around the world.

Hillary’s “new approach” to Global Health

David Rieff takes on the US Secretary of State’s approach to global health and development calling it naive, contradictory and muddled.

Donor Fatigue New Threat to HIV/AIDS Fight

Doctors Without Borders has raised the alarm that this is, “No time to quit! The HIV crisis is far from over.” As economic recession hits, many countries around the world  are decreasing their aid funding for HIV/AIDS treatments. The Obama Administration has come under fire for their cuts to HIV/ AIDS and PEPFAR funding.

• Is Obama Failing on AIDS?
• Optimism as U.S.  HIV Program Lifts Funding Caps

Mozambique: Maputo Central Hospital Bans Use of U.S. Dollars

Patients in Mozambique will no longer be forced to use U.S. Dollars to pay for treatments. This is an important move to increase access to health care in the country.

Cholera Outbreak Grips Nigeria

The need for clean water is demonstrated as cholera rapidly spreads across Nigeria and neighboring countries. As a common disease and treatable disease, the recent cholera outbreak calls for greater access to clean water sources for impoverished communities.

Cholera claims 352 lives

Cholera Outbreak Highlights Vulnerability of Children, Mothers

Cholera Outbreak – FG Moves Drugs, Officials to Bauchi, Borno

Cholera, Measles claim more lives

Cholera Outbreak hits 3,000 in Three Nations

Yes folks it’s true. South Africa’s HIV/AIDS National Strategic Plan for 2007-2011 has mandated that life skills classes be implemented in all schools, at all levels; this includes children as young as six. Life skills classes, also referred to as life orientation, are classes that orient kids to the world by teaching skills needed to live a productive life. Life skills curricula include basic things like hygiene, nutrition, and respect. Additionally, they include more sensitive topics such as body development and disease processes.

The area in need of the most emphasis in South African life skills classes is HIV/AIDS. As my last post discussed, HIV/AIDS is an epidemic plaguing Africa greatly and the magnitude of calamity being experienced is causing much global attention. This attention is indeed merited, as the continent is home to a country with the greatest of number of HIV/AIDS positive people in the world-  South Africa (Kates et al. 2006). Despite this astonishing fact, HIV/AIDS prevalence is higher in other countries (Kates et al. 2006).

Unfortunately though HIV/AIDS is included in life skills curricula, time allotted for these classes is spent either on other subjects or life skills is taught ineffectively as is the case in townships, and other places that need it most, due to funding and staffing problems (Tiendrebéogo et al. 2003). Teachers are often uncomfortable with the sensitive nature of HIV/AIDS and are ill-trained to discuss such matters with youngsters (Prinsloo 2007). Thus the goal in South Africa’s National Strategic Plan to reduce new HIV infection in youth ages 15-24 by 20%, being that they represent 50% of new infections, hardly seems on its way to being met. Though South Africa has allotted money for life skills classes, it is having a hard time establishing and monitoring it (Prinsloo 2007).

As those between 15-25 years of age are an important focal group to the South African government, with respect to reducing new infections, so are those between 6-14 years of age. In some cases this includes those as young as 5 years of age. They are referred to as the “window of hope” (Tiendrebéogo et al. 2003). Children younger than 15 are thought to not yet be sexually active and so are more likely to take to learning and internalizing preventative measures against HIV contraction.

With this in mind, should we gasp in shock when we hear that HIV/AIDS Education is being incorporated into the curriculum of children as young as 6? Of course not! They are not being taught the same things the 14 year olds are, such as how to put on a condom. However, they are learning the realities of situations that can put them in danger and how to avoid becoming vulnerable, if possible. HIV/AIDS, depending on race and socioeconomic level, due to South Africa’s Apartheid past, is something a child could deal with on a day to day basis. Why deprive the kids who need it most of a method of protection? Loss of a parent, orphanhood, and sexual exploitation are all undeserved consequences many children have to face (Bhana et al. 2006). You cannot compare South Africa’s HIV/AIDS condition to America’s where there are much fewer infected people and no 6 year old has ever been exposed to a HIV/AIDS infected person.

Furthermore, children are active agents of societal constructions and are not asexual creatures, as much as we adults would like to preserve a veil of innocence (Bhana 2008). They can construct and negotiate matters dealing with sexuality. As such we adults should recognize that they have a right- yes a right- to HIV/AIDS education. To deprive them of that when they are bound to be in situations that make them vulnerable would be irresponsible and silly.

To teachers I say take responsibility. I know in an ideal world the parent would handle such matters, but we’re not not in an ideal world. And if there’s no support, rally for it; petition the school principal and local authorities. Be proactive!

To South Africa’s government I say not only mandate life skills classes and invest in formulating curricula, but monitor them to ensure age and culturally appropriate implementation and evaluate them for efficacy. That way you don’t just set goals, you achieve them!

Works Cited

Bhana, Deevia and Morrell, Robert, and Epstein, Debbie, and Moletsane, Relebohile. “The hidden work of caring: teachers and the maturing AIDS epidemic in diverse secondary schools in Durban.” Journal of Education (2006): 5-23.

Bhana, Deevia. “Sex and the Right to HIV/AIDS Education.” Journal of Psychology in Africa (2008): 439-444.

Kates, Jennifer, Carbaugh, Alicia. The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa . The HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet. Washington D.C.: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation:, 2006.

Prinsloo, Erna. “Implementation of life orientation programmes in the new curriculum in South African schools: perceptions of principals and life orientation teachers.” South African Journal of Education (2007): 155-170.

Tiendrebéogo, Georges, Meijer, Suzanne, Engleberg, Gary. Life Skills and HIV Education Curricula in Africa: Methods and Evaluations. Technical Paper No. 119. Washington D.C.: Office of Sustainable Development Bureau for Africa, 2003.

The views in this article are representative of solely the author’s and may or may not represent those of SCOUT BANANA.

(Photo Credit: see above)

Anti-HIV Gel May Take Years to Hit Market

Is 39% reduction enough? The dust has barely settled after the announcement of the first positive results from a microbicide trial, but scientists and policy makers are already asking themselves, ‘What’s next?’ “It’s very early, we still need to analyze all the data – and the study collected a lot of very good data – and understand it better before we get to the point of developing a product,” Mitchell Warren, head of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), said at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna. More:

• Hunting for a ‘Cure” for HIV
• A gel that puts HIV prevention in women’s hands
• Anti-HIV gel a “step forward” for HIV research

A Radical New AIDS Treatment Strategy

UNAIDS has launched a “simpler, more cost-effective approach to HIV treatment” The approach, dubbed “Treatment 2.0″, aims to drastically scale up testing and treatment using current best practices and future innovations in antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and diagnostics. UNAIDS estimates that successful implementation of Treatment 2.0 could avert 10 million deaths by 2025, and reduce new infections by one-third.

African Leaders Seek Solution to Maternal and Infant Mortality

At the 15th African Union (AU) Summit in Uganda leaders and health experts will meet to reassess key health goals. In 2000, African governments agreed to reduce by two-thirds the number of mothers and children who die annually from pregnancy-related complications and preventable childhood illnesses. Ten years later, little has been achieved on that noble commitment, as statistics show an African woman’s risk of dying in child birth is still one in 11 compared to a 1 in 7,300 risk among women in developed countries.

The Buck Stops with Hospital CEOs

In South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal Province, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo told the heads of the seven major hospitals that they will be held accountable for failing systems at their institutions. “If we want to turn around the tide of health outcomes that are terrible in this country, then you have to look at KwaZulu-Natal,” said Dhlomo. “We have the highest rates of TB, HIV and infant mortality and a large population.”

More than five million people receiving HIV treatment

WHO estimates that 1.2 million more people received HIV treatment in 2009 than in 2008. In addition HIV-related mortality can be reduced by 20% in the next five years if guidelines for early treatment are put into action.

New Mosquito’s Buzz Worse than its Bite

A malaria-proof mosquito has finally been developed and Kenya is expected to use it to eradicate the disease in seven years. Researchers at the University of Arizona, US, say they have made the perfect insect. The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, which starts a national data collection exercise on malaria indicators Saturday morning, says it will use a combination of tools, including bed nets, education, new innovations and medicines to meet the 2017 targets.

Vaccine Trialists Sue US Drugs Firm for Billions

Victims of the 1996 Pfizer meningitis trovan vaccine test which caused over 200 deaths and several others permanent disability have again sued the drugs manufacturing giant for a whopping sum of $384 billion.

You, too, Can Help Fight Niger’s Famine

In poverty-stricken Niger, it comes as no surprise that drought is pushing the most vulnerable people to the brink of hunger. Right? But then you hear a statistic like this one, with the power to shock even the most cynical: right now, fully half of the country’s 13.4 million inhabitants are facing famine.

More: Aid Caravan to the East

Dire Humanitarian Situation Continues to Grip Somalia

Withdrawn aid due to Al-Shabab’s bombings in Kampala have left the Somali people with even less international assistance. It is vital to ensure adequate funding to assist the 3.2 million people – or more than 40 per cent of the population – who rely on international aid, a senior United Nations aid official stressed this week.

Other news:

• How to prevent HIV? Researchers say, try treating it
• When search engines deal in fake drugs

(via HoboTraveler.com)

American Food Aid: Saving Lives, or US Jobs

Change.org takes on US food assistance and its implications for foreign countries. Most often US food aid has very negative and often damaging effects on local communities and economies.

Swaziland: Poor Health Services Hamper PMTCT Progress

While much progress has been made in reducing HIV transmission, many are worried that the lack of adequate health workers and centers will reverse the advances that Swaziland has made.

Who’s Tracking the World’s Biggest ARV Programme?

South Africa runs what is probably the world’s largest ARV programme – over 700,000 people are receiving ARVs at public sector facilities. The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) reports on the national program to fight HIV/AIDS. With good and bad news, the report demonstrates that there needs to be better implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Cameroonians Arrested for Operating Illegal Hospital

The largest issue with this article was not that there was a hospital started by local Cameroonians, but instead that they were distributing unregistered and illegal Chinese medicines. Is this an example of the growing influences of Chinese investment and aid? The hospital registered and defrauded over 2,000 people.

Why Studying Human Migration Can Help Stop Malaria

You may often hear this argument when talking about the spread of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other STDs, but not often for malaria. One of Change.org’s authors gives a great history and background on the spread of malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has written since 1957 that population movement exacerbates the spread of malaria.

Uganda: HIV/AIDS Centers Turn Away New Patients

As a direct cause of the reduction in funding from US government agencies, centers that provide treatment and prevention have begun turning away patients because they have to make budgetting cuts.

Read more about the Obama Administration’s Global Health Initiative that is causing issues across Africa in regards to funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.

Also on Health in Uganda:

• Public Irritated by Yet Another Condom Shortage
• Why Uganda Shouldn’t Criminalize HIV/AIDS Transmission
• Want to Help Uganda? Send Condoms 95% of condoms are supplied by foreign donors

In Mali, Using Cell Phones to Create Patient Records

New Echoing Green fellow Josh Nesbit and his organization FrontlineSMS:Medic have partnered with the Mali Health Organizing Project (MHOP) to streamline and clean up patient records to improve health services.

Other Articles of Interest:

• Troubled Water Aid Watch chronicles the issues with PlayPumps
• A Miner-Led Tuberculosis Crisis
• West Africa: 10 million face Hunger in Region
• Nigeria: Researchers seek ways to End Maternal Deaths
• Africa: Enticing Health Workers to the Outback

Thursday and Friday I attended many of the Africa focused workshops – most were very exciting and engaging. They really brought the African perspective into the ideas of the US Social Forum and made delegates think about the US role in issues affecting communities on the African continent.

24 Thursday 10am-12pm

African Unity Towards What? (Pan-Africanism & Nationalism is not enough!) by: University of Kmt

I still haven’t exactly figured out this group and what they do. They run the Kmt Press which publishes books and journals, but all of their sessions that I attended were focused on teaching with an African historical perspective. Their missions states that they are dedicated to educating the new generation of African leaders. Interesting that they are in Detroit and I wonder if they know of the Detroit Public School (DPS) Initiative starting in 1992 where Africa was integrated into school curriculums from math to literature.

24 Thursday 1-3pm

Prioritizing Africa & the African Diaspora Agenda from Detroit to Dakar (D2D) by: Priority Africa Network (PAN)

This People’s Movement Assembly was geared towards bringing African perspectives into the US Social Forum and continue the discussion as preparations are made for the 2011 World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal. The room was full of delegates from many African countries, Detroit, and US Africa Advocacy groups.

Briggs Bomba, Director of Campaigns at Africa Action, spoke strongly about building solidarity with those most affected in Africa. He said, “corporate led globalization has harshest effects on those in the perifery, the underdeveloped.” He reminded us that all of us the privilege to attend conferences like these and make the policies need to prioritize the communities most affected.

A delegate from South Africa spoke eloquently about the social apartheid of displacement – ideologically, locations, in decision-making and governments; in voting process lack of people power and transformational action, and in the social mainstream. “We cover many issues, but it is the same struggle. We come from different areas, but share common experiences.” (i.e. colonialism)

Some top issues that came out of the PMA:

• Militarization in the Congo (DRC)
• HIV & STDs from Detroit to Africa
• political economy – effects seen in everyday Africa
• African defense (defend communities), liberation (not yet liberated), and autonomy

An exciting and dynamic session that really makes me excited for the World Social Forum in Dakar!

24 Thursday 3:30-5:30pm

The New Africa Command & U.S. Military Involvement in Africa by: African Security Research Project (aka: Daniel Volman)

This session was an interesting overview of AFRICOM by some leading scholars on the topic of US national security interests in Africa. The attendees were less diverse than the Detroit to Dakar session and most people came to learn more because it looked interesting and had studied Africa to some small degree in the past.

Most interesting was when the discussion turned to private military contractors (PMCs) in Africa responsible for fighting wars in Libera, Southern Sudan, and Somalia. A Ugandan delegate actually talked about being trained by PMCs in Iraq to then return and fight the Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. Great to hear the perspective of the Ugandan delegate and Dan Volman as well as to see so many people interested in learning more about African issues!

25 Friday 1-3pm

Power-sharing Deals in Africa: Implications for Democracy – The Case of Zimbabwe & Kenya by: Africa Action

This was by far the most organized session that I attended at the US Social Forum. The Africa Action team did an amazing job of gathering great speakers, formatting the session, and bringing people into the room for the discussion. Many African voices were heard from delegates representing Zimbabwe and Kenya.

In both cases of power-sharing, the speakers agreed that the power-sharing deal was a sigh of relief that stopped the fighting and opened their doors to the international community and economy again. However, they also all recognized that power-sharing was a positive in the short-term, but can be positive as in the case of South Africa when Mandela and de Klerk signed a power sharing deal until the national democratic elections.

Here are some take-aways:

• A weak state can and will be manipulated (i.e. Museveni in Uganda – waiting for a similar situation as Kenya and Zimbabwe soon, elections next year)
• “The people” are separated from the power – people-centered in needed
• Power-sharing allows for lessened tensions and time to create national unity towards something better
• Coalition governments show defeat of “people power”

There are a number Africa-related organizations represented at the US Social Forum focused on bringing Africa into the larger US social justice context and ensuring that there are African voices represented. During the June 22-25 conference there will be 14 workshops presented by: Africa Action, TransAfrica, HealthGAP, Support Darfur Project, All African Peoples Revolutionary Party, University of Kmt, Priority Africa Network, Community Alliance for Global Justice, African Security Research Project, Athletes United for Peace, Detroit to Dakar, and International Development Exchange (IDEX). See list below:

24 Thursday (10am-12pm)

• Africa & Pan- Africanism in this hemisphere: fighting neo-colonialism, racism, class, and gender oppression
  • All African Peoples Revolutionary Party @ Cobo Hall – Rm. W2-61
• Building a Pan-African Solidarity Movement in North America
  • Support Darfur Project @ WC3 – Rm. 317
• AIDS isn’t over: Solidarity in the fight for justice for people with AIDS worldwide
  • HealthGAP @ WA – Rm. 1472
• Gender Militarism and US Corporate Violence in Oil Producing States
  • Priority Africa Network (PAN) @ Cobo Hall – Rm. O2-40

24 Thursday (1-3pm)

• Africa Unity Toward What? (Pan-Africanism & Nationalism are not enough!)
  • University of Kmt @ Cobo Hall – Rm. O2-38
• The Politics of Exploiting Need: AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), the Gates Foundation, & the Food Crisis
  • Community Alliance for Global Justice @ UAW – Rm. Taurus
• Migration & Militarization of U.S. and European Borders: A Comparison & Contrast
  • Priority Africa Network @ Cobo Hall- Rm. O2-40
• Youth-led Activism in NYC’s Public High Schools
  • Support Darfur Project @ WBC – Rm. WB2
• The World Cup, Sports & Social Justice: The Beautiful Game & Beautiful Struggle, Together
  • Athletes for Peace @ WSU S – Rm. 29

24 Thursday (3:30-5:30pm)

• International Financial Institutions & Climate Change: Community Impacts in the Congo
  • Africa Action @ WC3 – Rm. 337
• The New Africa Command & U.S. Military Involvement in Africa
  • African Security Research Project @ UAW – Rm. Pres

25 Friday (1-5pm)

• Prioritizing Africa & the African Diaspora Agenda from Detroit to Dakar (D2D)
  • Priority Africa Network @ Cobo Hall – Rm. W2-69
• Educating African People: K12 through Ph.D. levels
  • University of Kmt @ Cobo Hall – Rm. O2-38
• GM Crops – the poisoned chalice: perspectives & victories from South Africa
  • International Development Exchange (IDEX) @ Cobo Hall – Rm. D3-23
• Power Sharing Deals in Africa: Implications for Democracy – The Case of Zimbabwe & Kenya
  • Africa Action @ WSU S – Rm. 261

Photo Credit: African Health Platform

After a long overdue absence, The Week in African Health is back. Subscribe to the blog to continue to get the latest news and innovations related to health and health care across the African continent.

Bringing everything full circle, Alanna Shaikh provides us with a repost: Why you can’t understand global health

Alanna reminds us all that if we overlook the intricate relationship between poverty and ill-health then we are set to misunderstand global health. “If you can read this, that’s not you. By definition, you speak English and you have access to the internet. You earn more than a dollar a day. You can’t understand.” For all the talk, analysis, and good intentions – we must remember that it is the poor who know best what interventions will work for better health around the world.

The World Health Organization has released the first ever guidelines for procurement of effective anti-malarial medicines

The guidelines emphasize testing for effective treatment. The WHO cites in 2008 that only 22% of suspected cases were tested in 18 of the reporting African countries. Thanks to new quality assured Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) that use a dip stick, testing is easier and quicker.This emphasis on testing will assist in stemming drug-resistance issues with quick and effective treatment.

South Africa has launched a massive HIV Testing campaign that marks a definite reversal from its past HIV/AIDS initiatives more focused on denial.

Beginning on April 15th, everyone who enters a clinic will be offered an HIV test, regardless of history or symptoms. Every health facility “should” be prepared to test by April, but the larger problem will then be access to medications and clinics have not yet been certified to distribute ARVs, especially those located in remote or peri-urban areas.

One of the few good things that I have heard about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is that most countries are on track to reach the goal on access to clean water.

With 80% of all disease transferred by contaminated or dirty water, this MDG is a critical piece to improving health. Some countries are even set to exceed this goal by 2015. On the flip side the UN reports that unless “huge efforts” are made most countries will fail to achieve the sanitation MDG. This could be an unfortunate setback as clean water sources require proper sanitation to remain clean.

“If you kiss for five minutes you get it” HIV/AIDS in Namibia

This is one of the lessons learned by young students in one of Namibia’s HIV/AIDS after-school courses. The primary student ended by saying, “People with AIDS should keep to themselves.” Some of the teaching may be misguided, but the program offers much needed psychosocial assistance to young children who have difficulty coping. One student learned he was HIV-positive 3 years ago at age 8, but that hasn’t ended his dreams of becoming a doctor someday.

Need HIV/AIDS help? Look on the map!

A new program in East and Central Africa has printed 20,000 road maps that pinpoint the locations of roadside clinics where truck drivers can go for help with HIV/AIDS. One driver said, “Many of us want treatment but at times you might not know where to get it when you are on the road but these maps can help us now.” The wellness centres and clinics have been constructed in areas where high-risk populations converge.

Tweeting Against Malaria

The UN has selected a group of 24 social media envoys to tweet for malaria control. The WHO says that 3.3 billion people (half the world’s population) is at risk for malaria and sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter where 90% of malaria deaths occur.

Other interesting articles of the week:

• Using mobile phones to fight counterfeit medicine
• Aid workers struggle to reach cyclone-hit villages
• Kenya Acts to stem cross-border HIV spread
• HIV/AIDS situation alarming at Tanzanian colleges
• New medical school launching in Uganda
• Cholera situation “stationary” in Mozambique