Stories about Health from May, 2013
New «Squadron» of Exorcists for the Archdiocese of Madrid
The Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Monsignor Rouco Varela, is assembling a team of eight exorcists to address "the high demand from his parishioners for help in being freed from demonic possession and other evil influences."
Peruvian Physicians Separate Conjoined Twins
Peruvian physicians accomplished an unprecedented medical achievement in the country: for the first time they separated two female conjoined twins who were born united by their abdomens and shared a little part of their livers. Baby sisters Shadya and Shandell Vásquez Vargas were born on February 26, 2013 and the...
Independent Projects of Ecological Solidarity Flourish in Puerto Rico
Ecological solidarity is getting stronger every day, thanks to the people working hard to develop independent projects in Puerto Rico. Here are a few examples that confirm once again that the goal of preserving nature, cultivating non-toxic products and advocating for sustainability isn't an impossible dream.
Mozambique's Health Care Workers Strike for Higher Pay
Health professionals in Mozambique have been on strike for ten days leading to the halt of operations in many medical units throughout the country. The dispute with the government is based on demands for wage increase and standardisation, as well as the readjustment of the emergency room prices throughout the country's hospitals.
The Trouble with Counterfeit Medicines in France
There is an area in which the harmful effects of counterfeiting are even more devastating: the pharmaceutical industry. This activity is far from marginal: the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 10% of medicines manufactured are fakes.
President of Mozambique's Medical Association Under Arrest
After a week-long strike by medical professionals in Mozambique, Dr. Jorge Arroz, the President of Associação Médica de Moçambique, was arrested on Sunday night, May 26, 2013, under accusation of “sedition” (incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government). On Twitter and Facebook, @verdademz, @canal_moz and other netizens report.
After Probing Chemical Lake, Eco-Blogger Attacked in Russia
Environmental protection has become a dangerous area of public activism in Russia—at least where industrial pollution is concerned. This is because eco-activists often directly oppose regional business interests, who sometimes react with force. A case in point: unknown assailants attacked and severely beat an eco-blogger from Pervouralsk, in retaliation for the publicity he is creating over a local chrome manufacturer dumping waste into the Chusovaya River.
PHOTO: Locusts Invade Madagascar After Cyclone
Locust swarmed many regions of Madagascar and even a few of its cities. This disaster comes as a result of the humid conditions[fr] that remained after cyclone Haruna's landing. The FAO states that 60% of rice production will be affected by the invasion.
Peru: Is Junk Food Synonymous with Freedom?
The recent Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating by Boys, Girls, and Adolescents, promulgated by Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, has generated debate about wether it restricts freedom of choice for parents in the way they raise their children. Others see threats to their freedom to advertise.
Mozambique: Medical Professionals Announce Strike
Medical professionals in Mozambique have announced they will strike. They consider that they were “humiliated, insulted and disdained” in their last meeting with government. This current strike follows a strike earlier this year by doctors. The video announcement is available with subtitles in English, and a number of languages.
“Lift your Skirt, Save a Life” Cervical Cancer Ad Divides Singapore
To remind Singapore women about the free Pap smear screenings this month and to promote awareness about cervical cancer, the Singapore Cancer Society came out with a “Lift your skirt. Save a life” ad which sparked a lively discussion on whether it was creative, effective, or offensive.
Chinese React to Angelina Jolie's Mastectomy
Off Beat China translated Chinese netizens’ reaction to Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy. Comments are mixed, some find the act courageous, some say it is over-reaction.
Japan's Pregnancy Handbook Plan Forgets Men
To counter the dropping birth rate, the Japanese government is proposing compiling a handbook with information on pregnancy and family planning to educate teenage girls on the subject. This plan to distribute the so-called “women's handbook” has been met with criticism by women's groups, which argue that the issues of...
Trinidad & Tobago: Smoking Ad Loophole
I don’t think this cigarette newspaper ad was necessary and it was in very poor taste. aka_lol takes issue with a cigarette advertisement, which apparently found loopholes around the prohibitions applied to such advertising under the Tobacco Control Act.
Remembering Dennis Kimambo
We're sad to report the untimely death of Dennis Kimambo from the Rising Voices grantee project REPACTED in Nakuru, Kenya. Close friend and colleague Janet Feldman writes this tribute to the life and work of Dennis.
Avoid Mycetism, Mushroom Pickers!
“Never eat overripe, clammy, flabby, wormy or spoiled mushrooms,” writes Ian Claytor, translating advice from Kyrgyzstan's Department for Disease Prevention and Expertise in his blog, Postcard from Bishkek. With the mushroom picking season underway in the former Soviet state, the Ministry of Health have come up [ru] with guidelines to help pickers enjoy the pastime safely.
Shanghai is China's Number One Cancer City
The cancer rate in Shanghai is 25 percent higher than the national average, over 80 people die from the disease every day, according to the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The pollution, food and water crisis are likely to be the cause of the increased cancer rates. Shanghaiist...
Peru: A Little Girl's Sacrifice
The website Regionlimaaldia.com [es] shares the story [es] of 9-year old Tatiana, who: […] didn't hesitate and got her long hair chopped and sold it in order to buy medicines for her mother, who suffers of hypertiroidism that has caused her a tumor located on her neck. In spite of...
Australia: National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding At Last
The funding of a National Disability Insurance Scheme has been a political football in Australia after legislation for the NDIS passed with unanimous support in Australia earlier in 2013. Both sides of politics had argued that it should be funded from general revenue.
No Taxis for the Blind in Singapore?
A visually impaired lady from Singapore wrote about the lack of public awareness on the helpfulness of guide dogs as a taxi driver refused to let in her guide dog saying “Dogs are not allowed” on taxis. Would Singaporeans only accept blind people with their guide dogs when there is a protective...
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