Stories about Health from June, 2007
Japan should work with China to tackle photochemical smog problem
Some scientists have been arguing that air pollution in China is responsible for increased incidents of photochemical smog in Japan. Kaz points out Japan's responsibility as a nation which suffered its own pollution in the past and says that Japan should build a good working relation with China in order...
Pakistan: Hospitals and Profit
The Pakistani Spectator on hospitals being runs as for-profit businesses.
China: Bloggers take on drugs
June 26 was the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, how did your local blogsphere cover it? China took an integrated approach this year: celebrities, posters, online video, petitions and coverage of a public trial of convicted traffickers.
Egypt: Beware of Summer Fruit
Egyptian Zeinobia warns us about her country's summer fruit.
Russia: “Weaponization of Psychiatry”
Another article from Yezhednevniy Zhurnal on “the increasing weaponization of psychiatry” in Russia – translated, at Publius Pundit.
Nigeria: who is lying about meningitis outbreak?
Ike Anya and chikwe ihekweazu look at the controversy surrounding Pfizer and the 1996 meningitis outbreak in Nigeria in “Who is lying?, and 9 other questions.”
Lebanon: Almost Non-Political Questions
What are we eating? Why are our banks flourishing? Who are those clearing cluster bombs? How will Brazil help in recycling Lebanese wastes? Where are some of the children who were caught in the crossfire? What about some music? These are some of the questions answered in this week’s selections from the Lebanese blogosphere.
Africa: Traditional medicine in Africa
Ugo Daniels writes about traditional medicine in Africa: In sub-Saharan Africa at least 80 per cent of the people rely on traditional healers.
Japan: Anti-freeze Toothpaste and Toxic Thomas
Last week, reports emerged that two Japanese companies were recalling thousands of Chinese toothpaste products sold to hotels across the country after the health ministry reported finding that they contained chemicals used in anti-freeze. At the same time, Sony announced that it was recalling 43,000 “Thomas the Tank Engine” wooden toys, which were found to be covered in paint with excessive levels of lead. Bloggers in Japan reacted with anger and disbelief.
HIV-positive women abandoned by their husbands
Reaseau sida Afrique writes about HIV-positive women who have been abandoned [Fr] by their husbands or families, and are left to raise their children on their own.
Egypt: Smoking Ban
Egypt partially imposes a ban on smoking, announced Issandr El Amrani.
Hungary: “Gloomy Sunday” in Budapest
Pestcentric writes about a Budapest restaurant where “arguably the most famous Hungarian song was written: ‘Gloomy Sunday.’ Rezső Seress wrote the original lyrics here back in the 1930s.” What's known to the world, though, is “a watered-down translation of an already softened reinterpretation.”
Kyrgyzstan: Men's Health
Genderstan discusses men's health as a gender issue in Kyrgyzstan, noting that deleterious cultural attitudes about masculinity are often ignored.
Bulgaria, Libya: Tripoli Six Update
Declan Butler posts an update on the Tripoli Six case: “This morning, Libya’s Supreme Court heard the appeal of the six. There will be no further hearings, and it will rule on 11 July.”
Bulgaria, Libya: Tripoli Six Update
Declan Butler posts an update on the Tripoli Six case: “This morning, Libya’s Supreme Court heard the appeal of the six. There will be no further hearings, and it will rule on 11 July.”
Jordan: Sicko Review
Jordanian Naseem Al Tarawnah reviews Michael Moore‘s Sicko here.
Barbados: Drilling for Oil
Twenty-five companies are in a bid to drill for oil off the coast of Barbados. Barbados Free Press puts forward its opinion about which firms should be disqualified based on their environmental records.
El Salvador: Protests Against Health Care Privatization
Tim's El Salvador Blog writes about the recent protests against health care privatization. The march was sponsored by the opposition party, FMLN and other NGOs.
Haiti: Reflections on the beauty of life
Note d'Or writes about a new-found appreciation for the beauty of life after a nine day hospital stay. “As I greet each tree, each bird, each blade of grass and my square of flowers, I thank the rusty beds for being there to make me aware of these beauties that...
Togo: Possible avian flu outbreak
Togo iTunes writes about a suspected case of avian flu in Togo [Fr]. On a semi-commercial farm 45 km outside of Lome, 2,000 of 3,000 chickens died in two days.
Turkmenistan: The Banned Disease
Abdulgamid says that Turkmenistan's government is finally showing some willingness to deal with HIV/AIDS.
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