African Views on Population Health

African Health Systems and Traditions


Health care in Sub-Saharan Africa and African communities worldwide has always been debated or pursued in a historical context. Even with traditional healing practitioners' growth in most African communities, the quality of health in African communities continues to concern researchers, development agencies, health administrators, and planners both inside and outside the continent. We believe that it is only through a value-based information exchange system that we can achieve effective functioning. Self-sustained health care delivery service, reliable supply chains for medicines and equipment, and overall improved quality of life for Africans.


African Views (AV) weekly discussion forum to explore and raise awareness about progress and gaps, costs, and accessibility of medical /pharmaceutical products and services within the African and African Diaspora communities Worldwide.

The discussion took place weekly on AV radio and was open to public participation and interaction. The dialogue represents a wide range of views from experts and ordinary stakeholders on a diverse scientific and socio-economic aspects of health and welfare issues.


The program's objective is to provide health literacy, and advocacy and inspire consensus and leadership roles in improving public health care status in African communities. The first program aired on Jul,y 23 2011. We explored healthcare Systems' status in Africa concerning the past, the present, and hopes for the future.


Understanding the historical context of health in the last 60 years helps us respond to today's health challenges. Learning from history is vital in shaping a healthier future for everyone, especially those most in need. The World Health Organization launched the Global Health Histories (GHH) initiative in 2005 with these basic principles. Significant contributions were published in 2008, when on April 7 of that year, it celebrated its 60th anniversary. Africa Views Organization began offering an African perspective on this history, which needed to be recorded and given much more comprehensive visibility and be fully incorporated into WHO and health histories.


The African Views Organization health programs promote awareness of sustainable health initiatives and make efforts to inspire physician's and pharmacists' networks with interests in improving health services in communities that need it most. The project idea is a collaborative social development information exchange framework for community leadership, health journalism, and global activism. The program was conducted via blog talk and skype, now with zoom.


AV radio programs were based on the notion that multiplicity of perspectives from agents of change in various professional disciplines, interdisciplinary scholastic departments, and diverse cultural backgrounds can bring the new ideas, concepts, and innovation we need to accelerate development and stimulate a great deal of innovation that people need to attain an international standard of expectation and performance on the goals of safe, healthy and prosperous communities.



The proposal is to include community outreach to the current AV radio program so that we can have journalists and nurses on the ground and doctors connected through our media system collaborating to implementing coordinated outreach and action plan for quality medical services information as well as collecting and documenting demographic information on medical and psychological needs on the ground.



African Views Organization works with medical doctors, scientists, and experts in the health care sector to addresses the health challenges of the People living on the African continent and Africans living in the Diaspora. We work to ensure that the needs and requirements are given sufficient international support.

African Views health journalism includes its Virtual program titled. African Health Dialogues (AHD). The AHD is a health care virtual discussion about awareness, progress and gaps, costs, and accessibility of medical /pharmaceutical products and services within the African and African Diaspora communities Worldwide. The program was a collaborative project between African Views (AV), Life-Scope Africa Foundation (LAF), and Phameds International. The primary program Host was Regina Askia Williams, R.N, and the program produced and directed by Dr. Wale Idris Ajibade. The program's objective is to provide health literacy, advocacy and inspire consensus and leadership roles in improving public health care status in underserved communities. The virtual program started in 2010, a decade before Zoom became trendy. The program has achieved a great deal, including its campaign to establish the African Infectious Disease Institute which culminated into the Africa CDC. The work of bringing about the true quality of African healthcare potential is still ongoing.

Health organizations and health professionals work collaboratively across 65 countries (Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, England, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe).



*Dougbeh Chris Nyan is a Liberian medical doctor, a biomedical research scientist, social activist and inventor. He specializes in infectious disease research.


*Gabou Mendy, MD is a family physician in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is currently licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana, Maryland, and Georgia. He is affiliated with Franklin Foundation Hospital.


* François M. Abboud, M.D. (Egypt/USA): Cardiovascular Research

* Venansius Baryamureeba, Ph.D. (Uganda): Chairman Board of Directors, University Tech & Mgt University (UTAMU); Chancellor of a University; Computer Science


* Squire J. Booker, Ph.D. (USA): Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


* Russell Debose-Boyd, Ph.D. (USA): Molecular Genetics

* Donita Brady, Ph.D. (USA): Cancer Biology


* Paula Hammond, Ph.D. (USA): University Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering


* Chester Brown, M.D., Ph.D. (USA): Genetics Division Chief, Department of Pediatrics, University Health Science Center

* Pedro Cherry (USA): Utility Company President and CEO; Industrial Engineering

* Namandje N. Bumpus, Ph.D. (USA): University Professor and Director (chair), Dept of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences

* Michael Burton, Ph.D. (USA): Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

* Rotonya Carr, M.D. (USA): Medicine (research: liver metabolic diseases)

* Gary Gibbons, M.D. (USA): Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Cardiovascular Research

* Ernst Cebert, Ph.D. (USA): Plant Breeding & Genetics

* Nira Chamberlain, Ph.D. (England): President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications; Mathematics

* Laura M. K. Dassama, Ph.D. (USA): Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

* Karine Gibbs, Ph.D. (USA): Molecular and Cellular Biology

* Christine Hendon, Ph.D. (USA): Biomedical Engineering

* Folami Ideraabdullah, Ph.D (USA): Genetics and Molecular Biology


* Jedidah Isler, Ph.D. (USA): Astrophysicist


* Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. (USA): President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Theoretical Physics

* W. Marcus Lambert, Ph.D. (USA): Biomedical Sciences

* Jose Jackson-Malete, Ph.D. (USA): Food Science and Technology

* Frederick K. Johnson, Ph.D. (USA): Information Technology Strategy & Innovation

* Manu O. Platt, Ph.D. (USA): Biomedical Engineering

* Michael Johnson, Ph.D. (USA): Biochemistry and Biophysics; Immunobiology

* Tshimwanga Jonathan Lukusa, Ph.D. (Lesotho): Public Health

* George M. Langford, Ph.D. (USA): Biophysical Cell Biology

* Tammy Qutami, Ph.D. (USA Science in Engineering with Management

* Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. (USA): Member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine; Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology; Medicine

* Beronda L. Montgomery, Ph.D. (USA): Plant Biology

* Jacquin C. Niles, M.D., Ph.D. (USA): University Director of Center for Environmental Health Sciences Molecular Toxicology

* Genevieve Neal Perry, M.D., Ph.D. (USA): University Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

* Nathan Smith, Ph.D. (USA): Neuroscience

* Paulinus Chigbu, Ph.D. (Nigeria/USA): Marine Environmental (Fisheries) Science

New ASI Fellows in January 2021 include:


* Simon Agwale, Ph.D. (Nigeria/USA): Virologist/Vaccinologist

* Lesley-Ann L. Dupigny-Giroux, Ph.D. (Trinidad/USA): State Climatologist

* Martin Antonio, Ph.D. (Gambia/England): Microbiology

* Olu Bamgbade, M.D. (Nigeria/Canada): Anaesthesiology & Pain Medicine

* Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D., P.E. (USA): University Dean of Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

* Raouf El-Allawy, Ph.D. (Egypt): Biochemistry

* George Hill, Ph.D.. (USA): University Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Emeritus; Dean for Diversity in Medical Education Emeritus

* Richard Edema, Ph.D. (Uganda): Plant Pathology (Molecular Virology)

* Chance Glenn, Ph.D. (USA): University Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences; Electrical Engineering

* Henry Lewis III, Pharm.D. (USA): President and CEO, Research Institute; Pharmacy

* Lonnie Gonsalves, Ph.D. (USA): Environmental Molecular Biology

* Christopher S. Holliday, Ph.D., MPH (USA): Director, Population Health at American Medical Association

* Michael Makanga, M.D., Ph.D. (Uganda/ The Hague, Holland): Chief Executive Officer of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Association Secretariat; Clinician

* Jarbas Honorato, (Brazil): Industrial and Mechanical Engineering

* Madhvee Madhou, Ph.D. (Mauritius): Agricultural Biotechnology


* Thembakazi Mali, Ph.D. (South Africa): Interim CEO at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)

* Clement Opoku-Okrah, Ph.D. (Ghana): Biosciences (Haematology)

* Leroy McClean, Ph.D. (Barbados): Molecular Biology and Population Genetics

* Arthur McClung, III, Ph.D. (USA): Mechanical Engineering; Robotics

* Sidney A. McNairy, Jr., Ph.D. (USA): Associate Director, National Center Research Resources; Former Director, Center Building Branch, NIGMS; BioChemistry

* Mamman Muhammad, DVM, Ph.D. (Nigeria): Director General/Chief Executive at Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research; Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology


* Soni O. O. Oyekan, Ph.D. (Nigeria) Chemical Engineering


* Theogene Rutagwenda, Ph.D. (South Africa): Vice president of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Regional Commission for Africa; Veterinary Medicine; Director General of Animal Resources in the Ministry of Agriculture


* Dinesh Shukla (Gambia): Chancellor at American International University West Africa

* Jean-Eudes Teya, Ph.D. (Central Africa): Physical Sciences (Mineral Chemistry & Hydrometallurgy)

* Kadiri Akeem Babalola, Ph.D. (Nigeria): Botany

* Toyin Togun, M.D., Ph.D. (Nigeria/England): Co-Director of The TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM); Clinical Medicine

* Geoffrey Muriira Karau, Ph.D. (Kenya): Medical Biochemistry


* Julius J. Larry III, DDS, JD (USA): Research Scientist; Civil Rights Lawyer; Dentist; International Business Consultant; Entrepreneur; Newspaper Publisher

* Juana Mendenhall, Ph.D. (USA): Chemistry

New ASI Fellows in December 2020 include:

* Jamil Abdur-Rahman, M.D. (USA): Obstetrics & Gynecology

* Idries Abdur-Rahman, M.D. (USA): Obstetrics & Gynecology

* Jeffrey Chavis (USA): Electrical Engieering (advanced data science analytical techniques)


* Adekunle O. Adeyeye, Ph.D. (Nigeria/USA): Physics (Nanotechnology & Spintronics, Magnonics and Spin Wave Devices, Magnetic Biosensors)


* Dereje Agonafer, Ph.D. (Ethiopia/USA): Mechanical Engineering; Microelectronics, Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and Nanoelectronics

* Norman Robinson III, Ph.D. (USA): Natural and Applied Sciences; Mathematics Education; S.T.E.M. career pursuits developer

* Geanie Asante, Ph.D. (USA): Computer Science

* Sandra Barnes, Ph.D. (USA): Bioanalytical Chemistry

* Rose Jalang’o, M.D. (Kenya): Medical Doctor with the National Vaccines and Immunisation Program

* Victor Silvano Bennet, Ph.D. (South Suda): Agriculture Science

* Ndiaga Cisse, Ph.D. (Senegal): Director of the Regional Center for the improvement of plant Adaptation to Drought (CERAAS); Agriculture Science

* Darnell E. Diggs, Ph.D. (USA): Physics (Electro-optic technology)

* Jeremiah Kang'ombe, Ph.D. (Malawi): Biology (Aquaculture Nutrition)

* Timnit Gebru, Ph.D. (Ethiopia/USA): Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Ethical Artificial Intelligence

* Inginia Genao, M.D. (USA): Internal Medicine University Medical Director, Adult Primary Care Center

* Robert L. Green, Ph.D. (USA): Chemistry; University Chair, Department of Natural Sciences

* Nushreen Jeenally (Mauritius): Environmental Science

* Thabo Lehlokoe, M.D. (South Africa): Medical Doctor; ICT entrepreneur

* Nehemiah J. Mabry, Ph.D. (USA): Structural Engineering and Mechanics (Bridge Design)

* Godfrey Madzivire, Ph.D. (South Africa): Chemistry

* Cecil Lue-Hing, D.Sc., P.E. (USA): Retired Director of Research and Development (R&D) for a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; Civil/Energy and Environmental Engineering

* Stephen L. Mayo, Ph.D. (USA): Biology and Chemistry; Chair, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering

* Pauline Mosley, Ph.D. (USA): Computer Science and Information Systems

* Chenere Ramsey, Ph.D. (USA): Neuroscience; Company CEO, S.T.E.M. career pursuits developer

* Alain M. Mouanga, M.D. (Congo, RDC): Psychiatry

* Mouhamed Ndong, Ph.D. (Senegal/Canada): Civil Engineering (Water-Environment)

* Sebusi Odisitse, Ph.D. (Botswana): Chemistry

* Ahmed Legouri, Ph.D. (Morocco/Ivory Coast): Materials Science; Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

* Judy Omumbo, Ph.D. (Kenya/USA): Epidemiology

* Yvonne S Thornton, M.D. (USA): University Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Musician

* Silvanus J. Udoka, Ph.D. (USA): Industrial Engineering and Management; University Department Dean


* Obiageli Nnodu, M.D. (Nigeria): Hematologist, Sickle Cell Disease Researcher


* Jude D. Bigoga, Ph.D. (Cameroon): Biochemistry (Medical Entomology and Molecular Parasitology)


* Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, Ph.D. (Ghana/USA): Control Systems Engineering and Robotics; Avionics



African Views technical, scientific, and cultural research, analysis, reports, and public engagement on Health Programs

AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: Hypertension Hypertension (chronically high blood pressure) is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide. Although comprehensive stroke surveillance data for Africa are lacking, available data show that age-standardized mortality, case fatality and prevalence of disabling stroke from Hypertension in Africa are similar to or higher than the result shown in African-Americans. African-Americans are more likely to develop complications associated with high blood pressure compared to people of other racial backgrounds in the US. Experts say the study highlights the need for further study into why African-Americans are more prone to hypertension and its related complications, just as a renewed emphasis on improved surveillance and the prevention and control of high blood pressure and stroke in Africa is needed. Ultimately, tangible and fundamental answers must be forthcoming in order to explain why the people of African descent develop hypertension more frequently and rapidly. Join our discussion this coming Saturday as we explore the following: Why is high blood pressure in African-Americans so common? Why Is High Blood Pressure in African-Americans such a problem? What are the root causes of Hypertension? What can you do to avoid developing high blood pressure? Find out from expects on how you can protect yourself from this serious health condition. If you are interested in joining our discussion, send us an email at:healthdialogues@africanviews.org to schedule and announce your participation on the show, otherwise please mark your calendar and call in during the show to participate. Host: Dr. Ladi Owolabi Host: Dr. Susanna Dodgson Producer: Wale Idris Ajibade Regular Contributorr: Mr. Folusho Obe Quality control: Professor William Verdone
AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: EMS AFRICA Topic: Emergency Preparedness in Africa: Ambulances Fire Engines, CPR Literacy. Emergency Preparedness in Africa: Ambulances Fire Engines, CPR Literacy. In this episode we will explore government programs and policies in relations to infrastructure, capacity, private sectors, education, public service demand and delivery in Africa. ABOUT AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES The need for improved access to adequate health care in African communities has long been a concern to researchers, development agencies, health administrators and planners both inside and outside the continent. We believe that only through value-based information exchange system can effective functioning health service, reliable supply chains for medicines, equipment and quality of life be improved. African Views (AV) and Life Scope Africa Foundation (LSAF) are collaborating to bring you a weekly discussion forum to explore and raise awareness about progress and gaps, costs and accessibility of medical /pharmaceutical products and services within the African and African Diaspora communities Worldwide. The discussion takes place Weekly on AV radio and is open to public participation. The discussion is organized and represented by wide range of organizations and experts on a diverse scientific and socio-economic aspect of health and welfare issues. Objective of the program is to provide health literacy, advocacy, and inspire consensus and leadership roles in improving public health care status in underserved communities. Host: Dr. Ladi Owolabi Host: Dr. Susanna J. Dodgson Producer: Wale Idris Ajibade Regular Contributor from the private sector: Mr. Folusho Obe Quality control: Professor William A. Verdone
Effectiveness of Mobile Clinics in Africa Treatment of preventable diseases in Africa is highly dependent on the availability of efficient capacity and adequate systems on the given location. One of the many obstacles for medical professionals in Africa is the lack of adequately equipped facilities. Could mobile clinics be the solution to problems of lack of medical manpower, medical technology, training, and medical resources in many parts of Africa? Could this very well be the solution for sustainable health care facilities in Africa? The primary mission of the mobile clinics is to deliver basic primary healthcare to remote communities that have little or no access to advanced healthcare. Mobile Clinics are properly equipped with full medical testing and examination facilities that will facilitate the delivery of effective and efficient medical care. The mobile clinics often come fully operational; supplied with advanced technology such as satellite communication tool, patient care rooms, solar-powered lap-tops, health promotion materials and healthcare professional training materials. The mobile clinics have the capacity to relocate without difficulty, allowing for increased patient care coverage. Mobile health care is becoming the modern advanced method of being able to ensure not only basic essential health care, but education and training to millions of people living in rural and urban areas. Nomadic Communities Trust (NCT) and the Community Health Africa Trust (CHAT) are venturing out to remote areas of the Kenyan wilderness. They are currently serving over 70,000 people a year by travelling to remote Maasai and Samburu villages.
COUNTERFEIT AND SUBSTANDARD DRUGS IN AFRICA Counterfeit and substandard drugs have been a major problem in developing countries especially in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) began collecting information on counterfeit drugs in the 1980s and over the past 30 years, as counterfeit technology has advanced, so have the number of counterfeit and substandard drugs on the world market. Counterfeit medicines are defined by the WHO as those that are "deliberately or fraudulently mislabeled as to their source." The products can include incorrect ingredients, may misstate the amount of the active ingredients, or are manufactured under circumstances that lack quality control. Current estimates suggest that 10 percent of prescription drugs worldwide are counterfeit, contaminated, or fake. The problem is even more dire in Africa, where some countries report that 30 to 50 percent of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines sold to consumers are counterfeits. While the issue of counterfeit drugs has long been treated as a criminal matter of intellectual property infringement, this view has often obscured what is in fact a public health crisis. Counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals are not just duping consumers and eroding profits of genuine drugs, they are taking lives. The WHO estimates that one fifth of global malaria deaths each year are a result of the use of fake drugs. We will explore ways to address this issue and how various strategies such as anti counterfeiting technology is used in the fight against counterfeit and substandard drugs. We will also look at various regulatory enforcement measures taking by government agencies, public sector organizations and private enterprises to increase the quality of life saving medicines coming into Africa and other underserved/resource poor communities around the world.
AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: RISING RATES OF AUTISM IN AFRICA Over thirty years ago, a man named Victor Lotter took a tour of Africa looking for autism cases. He visited ?collections? of mentally handicapped children in institutions in nine cities in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa) in hopes that he would be able to find evidence of autism in high concentrations of mentally impaired children. ? What Lotter found in Africa surprised him, namely that ?the number of autistic children found was much smaller than expected.? Only 9 of the 1312 mentally handicapped children he saw in nine cities were autistic (a rate of 1 in 145, nearly the same as the autism rate today in the entire US childhood population!). He had expected to see over 1 in 20. Around that time, clinicians in Nigeria and later in Kenya confirmed that autism indeed was present among African children but found it rare enough that it was worthwhile for them to give detailed profiles of just four and three cases, respectively. But the search for African cases has continued sporadically, and has led to an interesting recent twist. A couple of years ago, one of the most doctrinaire ?autism is genetic? American researchers, in a major break with orthodox doctrine, conceded the idea that there might be such a thing as regressive autism. Not in America, of course, but in Tanzania. A group led by Susan Folstein recently examined reports that previously typical children could acquire autism after a malaria infection. In a group of 14 autistic children, Folstein's group conceded that in at least three cases ?the relationship between onset of autism and severe malaria seems clear? and that in four additional cases there was a possible relationship. That implies that as many as half of the autism cases seen in African populations could be acquired and not genetic..
Polio Vaccine There are two types of vaccine that protect against polio: inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and oral polio vaccine (OPV). IPV, used in the United States since 2000, is given as an injection in the leg or arm, depending on patient's age. Polio vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Most people should get polio vaccine when they are children. Children get 4 doses of IPV, at these ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and booster dose at 4-6 years. OPV has not been used in the United States since 2000 but is still used in many parts of the world. A person is considered to be fully immunized if he or she has received a primary series of at least three doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), live oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), or four doses of any combination of IPV and OPV. Until recently, the benefits of OPV use (i.e. intestinal immunity, secondary spread) outweighed the risk for vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) which occurred in one child out of every 2.4 million OPV doses distributed. To eliminate the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), as of January 1, 2000, OPV was no longer recommended for routine immunization in the United States. However, OPV continues to be used in the countries where polio is endemic or the risk of importation and transmission is high. OPV is recommended for global polio eradication activities in polio-endemic countries due to its advantages over IPV in providing intestinal immunity and providing secondary spread of the vaccine to unprotected contacts. Who should get polio vaccine and when? Why get vaccinated? What are the Side Effects? Which people should not get IPV or should wait? What are the risks from IPV? What are links between Polio vaccine and HIV? Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Questions and Answers
AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: Prospects of Conquering Malaria ABOUT THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: Researchers in the fight against malaria have three major goals: new medicines, better methods of mosquito control, and a vaccine to prevent people from becoming infected. Medicines to treat malaria have been around for thousands of years. Perhaps the best known of the traditional remedies is quinine, which is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. The Spanish learned about quinine from Peruvian Indians in the 1600s, and export of quinine to Europe, and later the United States, was a lucrative business until World War II cut off access to the world supply of cinchona bark. In the 1940s, an intensive research program to find alternatives to quinine gave rise to the manufacture of chloroquine and numerous other chemical compounds that became the forerunners of "modern" antimalarial drugs. Unfortunately, malaria parasites in many geographic regions have become resistant to alternative drugs, many of which were discovered only in the last 30 years. Even quinine, the long-lived mainstay of malaria treatment, is losing its effectiveness in certain areas. To address the problem of drug-resistant malaria, scientists are conducting research on the genetic devices that enable Plasmodium parasites to avoid the toxic effects of malaria drugs. Understanding how those devices work should enable scientists to develop new medicines or alter existing ones to make it more difficult for drug resistance to emerge. By knowing how the parasite survives and interacts with people during each distinct phase of its development, researchers also hope to develop drugs that attack the parasite at different stages. In this episode, we will discuss treating and preventing malaria and what stage we are in conquering the disease. Host: Dr. Ladi Owolabi Host: Dr. Susanna J. Dodgson
Health care Facilities and Services in Africa What Types of Health care Facilities and Services are required and currently unavailable in Africa? There are basically two main types of healthcare system namely: Acute Care and Long-Term Care. Acute care refers to Short-term medical treatment, usually in a hospital, for patients having an acute illness or injury or recovering from surgery. Long-Term Care (LTC) refers to nursing-home care, home-health care, personal or adult day care for individuals above the age of 65 or with a chronic or disabling condition that needs constant supervision. These types of health care require several branches of facilities and services. A health care system is thus the organization of services, facilities, and resources towards the health needs of target populations. Many African countries are lagging behind most countries in other continents when it comes to the number of hospitals, physicians, nurses, medical graduates, nursing graduates, Hospital beds, MRI, CT scanners, Mammography, and other health facilities and service professionals. Having functional healthcare system requires a concerted effort among governments, trade unions, charities or other coordinated bodies in order to put sustainable facilities and necessary services in place for the populations they serve. Admittedly, the progress in African countries is slow. However, healthcare system is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, so there is hope. What are the current facilities and services needed and currently unavailable in Africa? What type of type of healthcare professionals are required in the healthcare delivery system in Africa? What types of plans are in the pipeline to fill gaps and shortages of healthcare workers in Africa?
Relevance of Tobacco control in achieving of MDGs Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of premature death and is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. There are more than 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer. It kills nearly six million people a year of whom more than 5 million are users and ex users and more than 600 000 are nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Approximately one person dies every six seconds due to tobacco and this accounts for one in 10 adult deaths. Nearly 80% of the more than one billion smokers worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest. There is clear evidence that control of addiction will contribute to MDGs achievement, especially for the goals related to health outcomes, and poverty and hunger. Among the eight MDGs, six are related to health, which shows how important the links are between good health and efforts to combat poverty and ensure sustainable development. In addition, the diseases and deaths that result from tobacco consumption impose great suffering and grief on the close family of the tobacco user, effects which are exacerbated by poverty. Evidence revealed in several countries that the prevalence of tobacco usage is higher among low income population. This puts the problems perpetrated by tobacco use into the development arena, including the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, a resolution of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Tobacco Control, adopted in July 2004, recognized the adverse impact of tobacco use not only on health, but also on the society, the economy, and the environment, and on efforts towards poverty alleviation. More information about Dr. Sachs can be obtained on his website: http:// www.drlung.com
AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: WHY IS HAND WASHING IMPORTANT? Unwashed or poorly washed hands are a very common way of spreading many diseases. Such common diseases are colds, flu, eaafricanr infections, strep throat, intestinal problems, and other diarrheal illnesses (salmonellosis, hepatitis A, shigellosis) can be passed from person to person when someone doesn't wash his hands after using the bathroom and then passes it along to someone else by handling food, shaking hands, or touching something. Today, hand washing is the simplest and most available "low-tech" prevention of illnesses. This noteworthy achievement is one of the most important proves that behavioral changes are the best prevention to all infections and illnesses. In developed countries, hand washing is heavily promoted for people of all ages and walks of life, but few people know the history of its beginnings. Prior to the discovery of microbial pathogens, even in Western civilization, many people believed that diseases resulted from evil spirits. Most doctors didn't understand the need to wash their hands to prevent infections. During the American Civil War, for every man killed in battle, two died of illness or disease. Often the injured died from infections, rather than from the wound itself. Three individuals, Ignaz Semmelweis, John Snow and Thomas Crapper, are attributed for initiating our daily lifestyle practices of hand washing, drinking clean water and toilet flushing that clearly attributed to these giant leaps in humankind, most of which we take for granted. To support a global and local culture of hand washing with soap and to raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap, people around the world have been celebrating the Global hand washing Day on October 15th. HOST: Dr. Ladi Owolabi HOST: Dr. Susanna J Dodgson
AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES: HIV/AIDS ACTION PLAN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: EPISODE: HIV/AIDS ACTION PLAN This week's episode provides an opportunity to come together to discuss the growing rate of HIV/AIDS, especially among people of African Descents. Part of the discussions will focus on the Millennium Development Goal-6, which aims to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 as well as provide universal access to treatment of HIV/AIDS for all those who need it. Reported Number of people receiving Antiretroviral Therapy compared to those needing it is approximately 36% globally. Since the beginning of HIV/AIDS awareness, the virus has caused more deaths in African nations and to people of African descent than any other known diseases. Today, majority of the 50 top mostly affected countries are in Africa or a country with predominantly people of African descent. Why are HIV/AIDS affecting more people of African descent, and what are the existing options for country assistance in providing guidance, reference materials, and international quality assurance and mentoring for countries developing nationally owned strategies and action plans to eradicate HIV? ABOUT AFRICAN HEALTH DIALOGUES African Health Dialogues is a weekly health care discussion on AV radio about awareness, progress and gaps, costs and accessibility of medical /pharmaceutical products and services within the African and African Diaspora communities Worldwide. Host: Dr. Ladi Owolabi Host: Dr. Susanna J. Dodgson Producer: Mr. Wale Idris Ajibade Regular Contributor on Private Sector's perspective: Mr. Folusho Obe Quality control: Mr. William A. Verdone