Studies examine costs, prospects of ending malaria
Scientists say that malaria can be eliminated, but only if governments invest in long-term policies that ensure that the mosquito-borne disease does not return to areas where it was eradicated through short-term measures. Currently the malaria map indicates that malaria is endemic to 99 countries, with 32 of those moving toward elimination. Worldwide, there are almost a million deaths from malaria annually, with 250 million total cases.
Obama is chided for child soldier stance
A top UN human rights advocate said she was disappointed by the U.S. decision to continue to give aid to several countries that actively conscript children into their military ranks. “We are very disappointed — we didn’t see it coming,” said Radhika Coomaraswamy, who called the decision a backward step.
UN tests peacekeeping base for cholera
A United Nations military team has taken samples of waste from behind a Nepalese peacekeeping base in an effort to investigate accusations from area residents it might be the cause of Haiti’s recent cholera outbreak. More than 300 people have died and 4,722 hospitalized since the outbreak first registered on October 20th, and has caused the Dominican border with Haiti to be shut.
Rwanda taps technology for health goals
Rwanda has placed a heavy emphasis on utilizing technology to help drive a dramatic change in the country’s health care picture as part of a government strategy to increase access and achieve Millennium Development Goals. Cell phone-based systems are being used to help store and access patient and treatment programs for HIV/AIDS patients, provide pregnant women with prenatal information and provide 45,000 Community Health Workers with tools to increase access for rural populations.
Women are underrepresented in peace efforts, Clinton says
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the United Nations on Tuesday that women in conflict zones across the world must be party to peace talks if lasting solutions are to be reached. The UN Security Council called, too, for more female peacekeepers in international forces, and swifter justice for female victims of rape.
Double-strain vaccine proves effective against polio
New cases of polio among children in Afghanistan, Nigeria and India dropped 90% after trials in which newborn babies were given a new vaccine. Scientists believe the new double-strain vaccine — about 30% more effective than current single- and triple-strain vaccines — could help to eradicate the disease completely.
