Comprehensive coverage of healthcare issues including Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), health disparities, community health, public health, hygine, health inequlities & human rights , medicines and determinants of health and diseases.
03-11-2009A global plan to prevent and control pneumonia, the leading killer of children, has been launched jointly by UNICEF and WHO. The two UN agencies say more than five million children can be saved over next six years if a comprehensive plan to tackle the disease is adopted worldwide.
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05-11-2009Scientists have announced that they are on the threshold of inventing a malaria vaccine. Researchers, however, are skeptical of Africa’s readiness to make use of it, where most of malaria-related deaths happen.
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Image: Malaria accounts for 20% of deaths of children under five in Africa; a new vaccine targeting this age group has entered the final stages of testing/ Photo credit: Julien Harneis/ Wikicommons
25-10-2009Policymakers, strategists and activists have increasingly acknowledged the role of HIV Positive women in the fight against the dreaded disease. Susan Paxton’s new book, Diamonds, has testimonies of such women from as distant a place as Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and more. Ranjita Biswas reviews the book.
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Community participation key to children's well being 09-09-2009Community mobilisation and sensitisation play critical role in achieving holistic development of a child, says a new report jointly released by Save the Children and Public Interest Foundation in India’s national capital. There is a need to take small efforts that can multiply with the greater involvement of people.
Poor facilities causing maternal deaths in Afghanistan 29-10-2009In Badakshan province in north-eastern Afghanistan, survival of women while giving birth depends merely on a chance. Lack of awareness, poverty and poor infrastructure are the main reasons for high mortality rate in the embattled country.
Uganda food crisis hits fight against HIV 27-10-2009The food crisis in Uganda is taking its toll on the fight against HIV/AIDS. Those living with the dreaded disease are beginning to reduce their dosages of antiretroviral drugs, as these are harmful if taken empty stomach.
Women hand pump mechanics on the move 14-10-2009A UNICEF initiative is training poor and marginalised women of eastern Indian state of Jharkhand in repairing and maintaining hand pumps in the villages. Not only has it helped them to earn self-confidence and economic independence but also contributed in management of clean drinking water in households.
17-08-2009With a view to root out corruption and ensure timely and legitimate disbursal of funds under various schemes, the Indian government is planning to make more use of ICTs. The new system will manage different projects, monitor funds and even do a social audit.
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23-10-2009No Tally of the Anguish, a Human Rights Watch report documents the state of pregnant women in northern India and the failure of institutions to identify and address the gaps in healthcare. It recommends timely investigations, targeted interventions and healthcare accountability for achieving MDG on maternal health.
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Image: Cover page of the report/ Photo credit: Human Rights Watch
Asia-Pacific sprints to fight swine flu Thousands of people participated in the running festival in Bangkok last week. The event was organised by the UN to raise awareness about the need to curb the spread of H1N1 flu pandemic.
