Stories about Health from February, 2010
Nepal: World's Shortest Man
XNepali reports that Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the shortest man in the world. Khagendra (18) is 56 cm tall and weighs just five kilograms.
Rare Disease Day: “Alone we are rare. Together we are strong.”
February 28 is "Rare Disease Day". Patient and family support groups make avid use of online media to raise awareness and share information about proper care and prevention of uncommon diseases that affect millions of people.
Armenia: Safe Sex
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts photos of what could be the first ever publicly available condom dispensing machine in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. The blog says that more are needed.
Bahrain: Lymphoma and Leukaemia Support Group
Bahraini Dr Nabeel Tammam has formed a Facebook group entitled Bahraini Lymphoma and Leukaemia Support Group.
Azerbaijan: Healthcare
Emotions on Air, Mind Mute comments on healthcare in the oil-rich republic. Despite legislation guaranteeing access for all, the blog says, the situation is far from perfect and especially when it comes to bone marrow donors.
Japan: Thoughts on Longevity
As the most rapidly ageing country in the world in addition to having the highest life expectancy, Japan has a lot to think about concerning quality of life and a sustainable society. However, it's rare that one contemplates about it on a personal level. In Long Life is a Risk...
Philippines: Outrage over Arrest of 43 Health Workers
The Philippine military arrested 43 community health workers accusing the latter of being communist rebels. The arrested individuals were recently presented in the court. Bloggers comment on the issue
Bangladesh, India: The Relationship Between Water Crisis And Migration
Sowmya Suryanarayanan at Strategic Foresight opines that the lack of freshwater resources in Bangladesh “is a massive threat and will remain a primary reason for cross border migration in the future.”
Africa: Views on HIV pandemic lack logic
Simon argues that there is no logic in the received view of the HIV pandemic: “Something I have always found mysterious about UNAIDS’ view (it's something of a received view) of the course of the HIV epidemic is that they estimate that the number of new infections peaked in Sub-Saharan...
Haiti: Reading the Reports
Repeating Islands republishes segments of a report on HIV infections in Haiti, while Haiti Vox links to a story on “who's getting the first Haiti contracts”, saying: “It's important for us to widely circulate this information, and to HELP Haitian groups who may want to apply…it's also important for Haiti...
Haiti: Moving On
“The men and women of Haiti are strong and ready to show the world that they can rebuild their country”: Wadner Pierre says that Haitians are ready to move on post-earthquake.
Darfur: Youth Keep Crisis in the Spotlight
Though the major conflict has ceased in Darfur, in western Sudan, the continuing instability and ongoing attacks have been particularly harmful for the region's young people. But youth both within and outside of Sudan have been vital in raising awareness and funds and trying to bring change to Darfur.
Thailand: Love Care Station
The Love Care Station blog teaches young Thais about their sexual health. There are about 600,000-700,000 people in Thailand who are infected with HIV/AIDS.
Haiti: Heroes
Bagay Dwol Journal is convinced that “Heroes are everywhere in Haiti, including the USNS.”
Jamaica, Barbados, Haiti: Defending Haitians
In response to a statement that the arrival of Haitian refugees in Jamaica could be seen as a threat to public health, Long Bench republishes a Letter to the Editor that he wrote: “Haitian refugees are not criminals, and should not be treated by citizens or represented in the media...
Maldives: People First Language
Yafaau's blog, which logs the developmental progress of a child with Cerebral Palsy in Maldives, talks about People First Language, “a more respectful and accurate way of communicating” when discussing people with disabilities.
Russia: Bloggers Saved Tourist's Life
A blog campaign saved the life of Alexey Kalabin, a Russian tourist bitten by a snake in Indonesia, Svpressa reported. Desperate to contact a Russian insurance company, Kalabin's daughter Anna asked one of the top RuNet bloggers to spread the word online and that led to a happy ending.
Czech Republic: “Swine Flu Warrior-in-Chief Caught Swine Flu”
Reference Frame reports that “Dr Michael Vít, the chief of the public health in the Czech Republic, in charge of the mandatory vaccination of the soldiers and other public employees,” appears to have caught swine flu: “A kind of hypocrisy for him not to be vaccinated.”
Haiti: Breast Not Best in Emergencies?
Repeating Islands discovers that “the conditions [in Haiti] are still too precarious for reliable delivery of breast milk.”