Stories about Health from July, 2010
Vietnam: Agent Orange at Danang Airbase
Thuy Vu of Vietnam Reporting Project visited the Danang Airbase where Agent Orange was stored. Agent Orange is the highly toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War
South Korea: Court Reaffirmed Its Strict Stance on Chinese Medicine Licencsing
South Korean Constitutional Court ruled in favor of a law that allows only licensed acupuncturists and Oriental medicine doctors to perform Chinese medical practice of moxibustion. The court dealt with the issue after an unlicensed acupuncturist appealed a conviction on his moxibustion treatments to over 1,000 people, South Korea's Joongang...
Taiwan: Build a home for bats
Green architect, book author, and blogger Alin(阿羚) introduces how to build a home for bats and decrease the rampant trouble of mosquitoes in Taiwan[zht] because each bat can feed on at least 1000 mosquitoes and bugs a day.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Reason to Smile?
Ariel Sigler Amaya arrives in the United States from Cuba to undergo medical treatment; Uncommon Sense applauds his resolve.
Vietnam: Pale skin and beauty
Reacting to the uproar in India over a Facebook app which allows users to lighten their skin color, Andy Engelson observes that the idea of equating pale skin with beauty is also strong in Vietnam.
East Timor: Eye care health situation
mivision cites the aim of the East Timor Eye Program to improve the eye health care in East Timor. There are only 11 eye care nurses, one ophthalmologist and no optometrist in the country.
Nepal: No Toilet, No Citizenship
XNepali Blog reports that as a part of the sanitary awareness program in rural Nepal, the Kaikot district council “has formulated a requirement in which every citizenship certificate applicant need to have a toilet at home”.
Nigeria: Reflections from AIDS2010
Nigerian blogger's reflections of AIDS2010: “It has been my pleasure to share with you some of my reflections from AIDS2010, from a Nigerian perspective. I have not covered in detail a lot of the interesting scientific issues emerging from the conference.”
Brazil: Limits on Food Ads Shake Market Forces
The Federal Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency has ruled changes in food advertising to include warnings printed on packages, amidst strong industry reaction. Do consumers have a say in this debate?
Japan: Eating unagi eel to battle the heat
It's Doyo No Ushi in Japan today – the day to eat grilled eel to bolster your energy for battling the summer heat. TsukuBlog gives a comprehensive explanation of the tradition and A Radiused Corner has some beautiful pictures of the dish.
South Korea: Addiction Mutates and Permeates Korean Society
A revolting incident caused by the internet addiction has recently shocked South Korea, and the government and non-profit organizations are rushing for solutions. Korean bloggers share their analysis on the uphill battle against addiction. Last week, a couple who starved their baby to death were sentenced to a year and...
Africa's Hunger Hardships Spur Biotech Debate
Many solutions have been proposed to help combat hunger in Africa, but one in particular remains controversial: biotechnology. Many experts suggest that genetically modified organisms could help ensure food security. Others claim there are numerous risks associated with adopting GMOs in Africa.
Armenia: FrontlineSMS and health care for all
FrontlineSMS says that more than 50,000 alerts on health care service have been sent using its open source software by international development organization Oxfam. The post includes a video report.
Philippines: Manila Water Crisis
Metro Manila, the national capital region of the Philippines, is now experiencing a water shortage crisis with millions enduring water supply rationing. Filipino bloggers try to make sense of the crisis.
Mexico: Women Sent to Jail in Guanajuato for Spontaneous Abortions
Ximena Vega reports [es] on the ongoing incarceration of women who go through spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) in Guanajuato; she writes that women who have abortions (spontaneously or otherwise) can get an average of 27 years in jail. This has been going on for years, as an article from Human Rights Watch from 2006...
Portugal: Seagulls Invade the city of Porto
A seagull problem has been occurring in Porto's historical center. Portuguese netcitizens report that the birds are hungry and fearless and have even killed pigeons. For Cristina Santos, they are scaring tourists with their attacks on the garbage piled in the streets. Marta, a tourist, witnessed what she calls a...
North Korea: Amnesty International Reveals Crumbling Health Care
A bleak picture of North Korea's disastrous health care system has revealed in Amnesty International's new a report “The Crumbling State of Health Care in North Korea” [Ko] disclosing a ‘dire’ situation where amputations are carried without anesthesia and hospitals suffer from a shortage of sterilized needles. English document available...
Russia: Heat to new highs
Yuri Mamchur of Russia Blog writes about the extreme heatwaves that have hit Russia this summer, and the consequences of high temperature in a country not accustomed to tropical climate.
Philippines: Discrimination Against Filipinos in Baltimore Hospital
Four Filipina staffers of the Bon Secours Baltimore Health System in Baltimore City were recently fired from their jobs for speaking Filipino during their lunch break. Bloggers share their views on the issue.
Singapore: Discrimination against obese health workers
Ravi Philemon writes about the reported discrimination against overweight health workers in Singapore
Africa: Africa scores a goal when you stop HIV
“Africa Goal is an exciting and innovative project that harnesses the popularity of the football World Cup to address HIV and AIDS in the region of the World most effected by the epidemic,” writes Bev Clark at Kubatana blogs.
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