Stories about Health from December, 2010
Nigeria: Bring our health data alive
Bring our health data in Nigeria alive: “For a long time, our leaders have taken Nigerians for a ride, quoting astronomical amounts of money for delivering nothing. One major reason for this is that we had no way of knowing more than they told us.”
Russia: Is Internet Guilty of Organizing Nationalistic Riots?
Russian media and blogosphere ponder who is responsible for the nationalists’ riots in Moscow in mid-December. But the authorities found their own scapegoat – the Internet.
Lebanon: One Wig Stand for Cancer Awareness
One Wig Stand is an awareness project that shares the stories of women battling breast cancer in Lebanon. The author explains that the site is not a sappy one intended to make the reader cry or feel sorry. Rather, it’s goal is to inspire, lighten the mood and provide some helpful resources.
Caribbean: Defining Moments of 2010
Many landmark events happened in the Caribbean this year, prompting reactions from the regional blogosphere. Here's a look back at some of the most important stories of 2010...
South Korea:Cows Culled As Mouth and Foot Disease Spread
As the mouth and foot disease spread around South Korea, the government ordered farms to slaughter their cattle, including yet healthy cows and pigs to slowdown the wide spread the disease. @Biguse tweeed a photo of healty cows having their last supper just before being culled.
Haiti: Behind Cholera
“Cholera is a disease of the poor, of the disenfranchised. Poor people in poor countries. Cholera thrives where there is no clean water, where there is inadequate sanitation, where there are poor health systems”: Haiti Grassroots Watch takes an in-depth look behind the cholera epidemic.
Cuba: Making a Difference
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense continues his list of the Top 10 Cubans who made a difference this year.
Cuba: Economic Crisis
Iván's File Cabinet says that the “times of crisis” that the country is facing is affecting everyone – even the prostitutes.
Oprah Down Under: Not Everybody’s Cup of McCafe
Oprah Winfrey’s fans seem to have lapped up her Australian tour which finished with taping of her show at the Sydney Opera House. However her trip also has had its fair share of criticism. Here are sample blog reactions from Australia
Bhutan: Tobacco or Drinking Ban
Passu wonders why Bhutan banned tobacco instead of drinking.
Bangladesh: Artificial Kidney – A Rare Feat
Unheard Voice blog informs that “Shuvo Roy, a Bangladeshi scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, has developed the world’s first artificial, implantable kidney.”
Haiti: After Elections
“The situation here is like a volcano that has been building pressure for a very long time. The massive earthquake, the million homeless people and 300,000 dead, Hurricane Tomas, the Cholera epidemic…a biased election…all contribute to the people's frustration”: Pwoje Espwa provides updates on Haiti, along with photos, here, here...
Malaysia: Moratorium on Medical Schools
The Malaysian government has imposed a five-year moratorium on medical programs across the country, with the aim of shifting the focus from quantity to quality as the number of medical graduates continues to increase every year. Is this a good policy intervention? Bloggers react
Nigeria: Our Senators and our health
Nigerian Senators simply don't get it: “How can we possibly afford to pay Senators in Nigeria N15.18m in salaries and allowances monthly ($100,000.00), when we cannot pay our doctors, teachers, nurses, a fraction of that. That is the absurdity of our country.”
South Korea: Free School Meals Debate Sweeps the Nation
A serious debate on the free school meals system has swept South Korea this week, as a minority opposition party succeeded in passing a bill through parliament that expands free meal coverage.
Nigeria: Wikileaks’ latest leaks focus on Pfizer- Nigeria lawsuit
The Wikileaks cable leaks continue and today, makes allegations on Pfizer's attempts to influence a settlement on the clinical trials lawsuit filed against it by Nigeria
Haiti: Unrest Takes Hold
As the debacle over election results continues, Haitian bloggers discuss the mounting unrest in the country, which further complicates efforts to deal with the cholera epidemic.
Cuba: Public Health System
Octavo Cerco wonders whether “the government will manage to fix the debacle that has been steadily building in public health.”
Jamaica, Haiti: Democracy & Elections
In looking at the fallout over the Haitian elections, Jamaican diaspora blogger Dennis Jones says: “The search for democracy is more than about having free and open elections. People have to have a certain disposition.”
Russia: Another Photo Report on Critical Situation in Moscow Hospital
LJ-user Yanissimo posts [RUS] shocking pictures of the Filatov hospital (in Moscow). Together with pictures he tells a story of bad conditions, immorality, lack of ethics and competence that rule in the hospital. “What is it if not a genocide?” asks the blogger.
Thoughts On World AIDS Day (December 1st)
Gayvox.com reminds (fr) everyone that December 1 was World AIDS Day, and adds, “Since a UN resolution of 1987, when the epidemic was officially recognized, this first of December marks the 23rd World AIDS Day. The 2010 AIDS Day continues the theme of 2009: Universal Access and Human Rights. All...