 Mosquitoes can not transmit the aids virus.. but do you know why? In my search for health stories and other useful information for this listserv I just happened across an article on malaria appearing in the online version of the (Gambian) Daily Observer newspaper - the article, written by listserv member, and former course participant, Lamin Dibba, a Gambian Journalist, clarifies this point in layman's terms.
He writes: ...Understanding the way in which a mosquito bites is important to understanding why they cannot transmit HIV. When a mosquito feeds on a human, it injects a small amount of saliva, which acts as a lubricant, so the mosquito can feed smoothly. It does not inject another person's blood into the person it is feeding on. Also, after a mosquito has fed, it usually rests and digests the meal before it feeds again. Even if there were small amounts of blood on the mosquito's mouth parts, these would have dried or disappeared before the mosquito's next meal... Congratulations Lamin on writing such a clear, concise explanation. If you would like to read the whole article, entitled, " Malaria Medicines and Treatment", visit the Daily Observer site: www.observer.gm then click on the Health section on the left hand side.
Yes, there is a "new and improved" version of the Health and Media website. I shouldn't really be mentioning it yet as I am not quite finished some areas of the site - but it has taken so long to design and put together that I can't bear to wait any longer. This new version should be easier to read, easier to navigate, and easier on the eye... comments and suggestions are welcome - take a look: www.healthandmedia.org
Welcome two new members to the Health and Media listserv this week including Wambi Michael, a senior radio reporter from Kampala, Uganda, along with Radhakrishnan Sivaraman, the editor of a health and lifestyle magazine who lives in the city of Trivandrum, in the state of Kerala, in Southern India. We now have about 270 listserv members from over 35 countries around the world.
.. that's all for now... I have to get back to the website and finish it off... Colin Lloyd Listserv Moderator, South Africa
1. Member contributions:
>> Emails
+ Yusupha Bojang, journalist, the Gambia "In the Gambia, health professionals and concerned citizen's were out to celebrate Africa Malaria Day yesterday, when they gathered in Ganjur, a local community village about 40 kilometers outside of the capital city, Banjul. According to the public health office in Brikama, malaria cases are being managed and controlled because of a massive national effort to distribute bed-nets to pregnant women and children under 5. In addition, a monthly nation-wide, community cleaning exercise is also being seen as one of the reasons for the control of malaria in the Gambia."
+ Lucky Lukiah 'Nakabembe' Mulumba, US Air Force Nurse Corp, WHMC, San Antonio, Texas, USA "I communicated with Mr. Mulefu (the journalist who contributed the article on "sickle cell disease" to the Health and Media website) of Kampala, Uganda. He is very helpful and efficient. I have also received contact information about the sickle cell clinic in Uganda. It breaks my heart to hear what these young children are going through!!!!! My husband and I will call the person in charge of the clinic after Easter and start from there. On May 13th 2006, we are having a meeting with a group of nurses and members of a church here in San Antonio in order to raise donations towards the sickle cell clinic in Uganda. I am also meeting with the US Air force Colonel to get directions on how I can obtain items the clinic may use such as the intravenous pumps for infusing fluids or antibiotics etc. There is also a net work of nurse friends who will get me some antibiotics from the pharmaceutical companies depending on the needs of the sickle cell clinic in Kampala Uganda.
Though I am very heart broken to read articles about what the patients go through in Uganda just to secure an appointment to see the doctor, and how other sufferers can die from this disease, I am happy that there is an opportunity to make a difference.
Thank you, so much, for your help, and your time!" (I am sure that Pius Sawa Murefu, who wrote the article that brought this problem to your attention, will be pleased that his efforts are not going unnoticed. -- keep us informed -- Colin Lloyd, moderator)
2. Health news: + Malaria treatment still elusive to most Most of the world's millions of malaria sufferers are not getting life-saving drugs nearly five years after the World Health Organization urged their widespread use, despite a huge boost in aid, health experts said on Monday. Health News Article | Reuters.com + Malaria treatment takes centre stage This year's Africa Malaria Day, held on April 25, was commemorated under the theme "Unite Against Malaria: Access To Effective Treatment is a Human Right." The UN Marked Africa Malaria Day by stressing the need for combination drugs and treated Nets http://allafrica.com/stories/200604250561.html + UGANDA: NEW METHOD TO MANAGE HIV TREATMENT A new study in Uganda has confirmed that a combination of co- trimoxazole (Septrin), antiretroviral therapy, and insecticide- treated bed nets reduces the frequency of malaria in adults with HIV. The study aimed at assessing the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on the frequency of malaria in people with HIV, and to measure the effects of co-trimoxazole and insecticide-treated bed nets. http://allafrica.com/stories/200604170723.html Read more
3. Resources:
+ NIGERIA: BOOK LAUNCHES ON HIV/AIDS
Nigerian Health Minister, Eyitayo Lambo, Wednesday in Abuja launched a book documenting efforts in the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in the past five years. The book titled "AIDS in Nigeria: A nation on the Threshold," is the brainchild of the US Harvard School of Public Health programme, AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN). It is the first major comprehensive documentation on the disease in a book form since HIV/AIDS was first reported in 1986 in the country. more
3. Opportunities:+ East African health reporters eligible for fellowship Journalists from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda interested in covering reproductive health issues can apply for training fellowships. Application deadline: April 28. The fellows will attend a conference on sexual health and rights scheduled for June 19 to 21. Before the conference, they will attend a three-day training seminar starting June 15, to prepare them for the conference. The fellowships cover airfare, meals, lodging and a per diem for three journalists from each country. For more information: http://snipurl.com/ofgd.
+ Editors worldwide eligible for fellowship in U.S.
Experienced newspaper editors from developing or transition countries are eligible for a six-week fellowship program in the United States. Application deadline: June 1.
Ten editors will participate in the International Journalism Exchange (IJE) program from October 7 to November 11. That includes a week of orientation in Washington, D.C., a four-week internship at a community newspaper, and a two-day trip to New York.
For more information, contact Dawn Arteaga of ICFJ at ije@icfj.org, telephone +1-202-737-3700, fax +1-202-737-0530, or visit www.icfj.org/ije.html.
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