By Kemo Cham
Africa’s COVID-19 pandemic reached a milestone last week when its total number of cases struck the 100, 000 mark.
Even though the virus has now spread to every country in the region, 14 weeks since it was first confirmed on the continent, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), it still represents remarkable achievement.
By Kemo Cham
An experimental drug, Remdesivir, is reported to have shown effectiveness against Covid-19, raising hopes of a cure for the viral pandemic.
The antiviral drug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences, is one of nearly 200 experimental drugs on trial. It is under study in a small experiment by US government scientists.
The trial involves monkeys.
The scientists reported last Friday it causes the virus to add mutations that can destroy it.
By Kemo Cham
A Nigerian scientist, Professor Cyril Otoikhian, has vowed that the medical condition Sickle Cell can be eradicated through awareness raising.
Prof. Otoikhian, who is on a mission to dismantle a long held conception that the condition is an African disease, is using Sierra Leone to realize this daunting task with a campaign through his Foundation.
By Kemo Cham
Like many countries, Sierra Leone has long focused its response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the key populations – people who live a risky life style that exposes them to infection of the virus, like those who inject drugs, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), sex workers and prisoners.
By Kemo Cham
Research shows BCG vaccine can be more protective
BSG, the vaccine used to prevent against Tuberculosis (TB), has for long been ineffective, but a new research has shown that its effectiveness can be improved upon.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States say they have found that the mode of administering the vaccine increases its effectiveness.
By Kemo Cham
Imagine this: A pregnant woman is operated on by a team of surgeons. Immediately after the surgery she bled to death.
Shortly after, on the same day, a second patient battling for her life after an illegal abortion procedure went wrong, is brought in, operated on by the same team of doctors in the same theater, and she later bled to death.
The doctors treated the two cases as pregnancy related deaths. Case closed!
If this was a simulation, this particular team of doctors clearly failed the test.
By Kemo Cham
Despite providing an essential public service crucial for safeguarding human health, sanitation workers in the developing world face some of the worst condition of living, a new report has revealed.
Supported by: Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
