Army to support Sri Lankan reconciliation, new chief says
Sri Lanka’s new army chief is advocating quick resettlement plans for the 250,000 people displaced during the government’s final battle with the Tamil Tigers rebels earlier this year. Lt.-Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya also outlined a new role for the army to help with post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction efforts.
Polio vaccine leads to disease’s resurgence in Nigeria
The polio virus found in the vaccine used widely in Nigeria has mutated, prompting a new outbreak that has doubled the number of child paralysis cases during the past year. The mutation occurred in the live but weakened virus strain associated with the oral vaccine, which is favored in Nigeria for its ease and lower cost. The incident might lend a boost to persistent local rumors that Western vaccines are tainted.
HIV/AIDS driving South Africa maternal mortality rates
HIV/AIDS-related illnesses such as tuberculosis and pneumonia are the main cause of death for pregnant women in Johannesburg, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Almost half the pregnant women who died from 2003 to 2007 died of an HIV/AIDS-related disease.
Africa medical personnel crisis challenge to MDGs
Africa needs an additional 800,000 medical personnel immediately if the continent is to meet Millennium Development Goals for improving maternal and child health, and reducing deaths from HIV/AIDS by 2015, according to a study published in the journal Health Affairs. The report estimates the continent has only 30% of the doctors it needs. Incentives for existing personnel, better training and more widespread use of community health workers could help boost productivity for providers already in place, the authors wrote.
More than 500,000 Bangladeshi children might have rickets
More than half a million children in Bangladesh could be suffering from rickets, a debilitating disease associated with poor nutrition and lack of sunlight, according to a recent survey. The National Rickets Survey 2008 based its estimate on its finding that 197 out of 20,000 children (0.99 percent) had rickets.
Terrorists kidnap, torture boy to bully Iraqi policeman
Khidir was just 6 years old when he was savagely ripped away from his family, kidnapped by al Qaeda operatives in Iraq. What followed was even more horrific, an ordeal that would last for two years in captivity, all because his father was a policeman. Last December, nearly two years later, police in Taji, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) away, received a tip that terrorists were holding kidnapped children. “We thought that it was just a tip to ambush us, but we considered the mission as a sacrifice,” said Iraqi police Capt. Khalib Ali. “Either we find the children and free them or face the danger and take the risk.” The tip led the Iraqi police to a rundown farm and a series of mud huts. Khidir’s tiny body was twisted abnormally. And in another hut, they found another child. Two children are still believed to be with the kidnappers. Al Qaeda in Iraq has historically kidnapped children for money, to pressure officials, and even to use in terrorist attacks.
