Swine flu precautions
I received this by email and thought it would be useful:
As swine flu spreads, it is important to be able to recognise its symptoms and know what to do if you think that you or your family might have it.
One thing you can do right now is to make sure you have a thermometer to take your child’s temperature. If they have a temperature of 38° C or above and they have any two of the following symptoms, then you should call your GP straight away. The symptoms are:
- tiredness
- headache
- runny nose and sneezing
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- aching muscles, limb and joint pain
If your child is less than one year old and you think they might have swine flu, call your GP immediately.
Also make sure that your child:
- uses soap and water when washing their hands
- covers their mouth when coughing or sneezing (with a tissue, not with their hands)
- throws dirty tissues away quickly into bins.
Following these simple precautions will help slow the spread of the virus.
Investing in an ageing society in Zimbabwe
IT IS UNDISPUTABLE THAT the value of older persons for society is strong and society should rely increasingly on the strong social experience and wisdom of older persons. It is true that the social clock never stops ticking and therefore aging is a natural process. Of paramount importance in Zimbabwe, are the issues affecting old people, their plight and creating an enabling environment through which family members are positioned to provide more for older people. In traditional Zimbabwean culture, elderly care was provided by adult children, who gave all the care and support to their ageing and frail parents, but due to economic hardships, this may not always be possible. During recent years Zimbabwe has faced acute economic challenges which have caused societal shifts in living arrangements and family structures and therefore ageing poses a challenge in Zimbabwe. Read more
Free Surgery in Harare for Children with Hydro Cephalous
Celebration Health shall be conducting free corrective operations on infants with Hydro Cephalous (water on the brain, main symptom is oversized head). If you know any children affected, they need to be at Harare Hospital ward C1 on 17 May-29 May with parents/guardians for screening and the operations, they should bring all relevant medical records.
Thank God for such noble initiatives, keep hope alive and spread the word.
Worst-case cholera scenario getting worse
A nurse takes care of a child cholera patient (WHO/Paul Garwood).
JOHANNESBURG , 26 January 2009 (IRIN) - Zimbabwe’s worst-case cholera scenario, as predicted by the World Health Organisation, is likely to be surpassed within a few weeks and there are still about two months of the rainy season left.
In December 2008 the WHO said cholera cases could balloon to 60,000 before the rainy season ended in March 2009, but Gregory Härtl, spokesman for the organisation’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response office in Geneva, told IRIN that as of 25 January, 53,306 cholera cases and 2,872 deaths had been recorded since the outbreak began in August 2008.
Cholera, an easily treatable waterborne disease, thrives in poor sanitary conditions and is expected to remain a feature until Zimbabwe’s rainy season subsides. Read more
Some solutions for health and education in Zimbabwe
Practical ways to Help Zimbabwe- Education and Health, just for now!
EDUCATION:
Problem: there is a severe shortage of teachers in schools as many are leaving for the informal sector due to poor salaries. My nephews in Form 3 at a boarding school outside Bulawayo are supposed to be taking 9 classes, but only have 4 teachers out of 9 teachers needed for the classes showed up this semester- 5 classes are without teachers. Furthermore, there is a great shortage of books.
Current efforts: We have established links with book publishers in Zimbabwe to print copies of the books used in the local examinations. On average a book costs no more than US$20 if we buy in bulk for many schools. We are raising money to pay for student tuition fees, but it is not enough to only support students. Our partner foundation in the US already sends books to Zimbabwe about twice a year to a group of 75 schools. Read more
HIV/AIDS and the Arts in Harare
Susan Pietrzyk has been conducting research in Harare over the last two years, interacting closely with artists and others in the industry. This is her ‘feedback’, and a special invitation is extended to artists.
A Public Discussion at the Book Café
Thursday 4 September 2008 – 5.30-7.00 pm Read more
