Author: Gloria Addo

As the world observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) this October, the World Health Organization (WHO) is placing a renewed focus on tackling breast cancer worldwide. In 2021, WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) to reduce breast cancer mortality rates by 2.5% annually by 2040, potentially saving 2.5 million lives. This October, the initiative will focus on three key pillars: health promotion for early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive breast cancer management. Alarmingly, 70% of deaths from breast cancer take place in environments with limited resources, leading to a high rate of late-stage diagnoses and worse outcomes since…

A recent study has revealed a concerning connection between sleep disturbances and suicidal behaviors among children aged 10 to 14. The study, conducted as part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, analyzed data from over 8,800 children across 21 sites in the U.S. and found that sleep issues, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, frequent waking, excessive sleepiness, and nightmares, are strongly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts during early adolescence. Researchers noted that sleep disturbances have long been recognized as a risk factor for suicidal behaviors in adults, but long-term studies specifically addressing this issue in children…

A recent study commissioned by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition highlights the significant toll ovarian cancer takes on Kenya’s economy and healthcare system. The disease, which is the country’s second-most common gynecologic cancer, affects approximately 3.8 out of every 100,000 women annually, accounting for 4% of all cancer cases. The study, which assessed the socioeconomic impact of ovarian cancer in 11 countries, including Kenya, reveals that in 2023 alone, these countries faced an estimated USD 69.9 billion in losses due to the disease. Kenya, like other low- and middle-income nations, is particularly burdened by increased healthcare costs and a sharp…

Did you know that by maintaining a healthy weight, one can be protected against diseases, especially in those with a family history of diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure? The factors that affect weight include genetics, age, gender, lifestyle, culture, sleep patterns, and geography. Lifestyle habits that may lead to weight gain include eating or drinking a lot of foods that are high in calories, sugar, and fat, and spending a lot of time sitting or lying down. Over time, if you continue to take in more calories than you use, you are likely gain weight. A key aspect of healthy…

In an extraordinary medical feat, a leading London-based surgeon has successfully separated one-year-old twin girls in a complex, 14-hour operation using mixed reality (MR) technology. The procedure was performed by Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a consultant pediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) at the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital in Turkey. The operation, which took place in two stages over three months, culminated in a final 14-hour procedure. Mixed reality (MR) technology, which combines 3D imaging with the physical world, was used to enhance the precision of the surgery. Prof. Jeelani’s team relied on this cutting-edge technology to…

As the world marks Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, fertility expert Dr. Abayomi Ajayi revealed that approximately 70% of women with PCOS are unaware of their condition due to a lack of awareness. PCOS, a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, is a leading cause of infertility, particularly anovulatory infertility, which is the inability to ovulate. Dr. Ajayi, the Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos, spoke during a webinar organized to raise awareness about PCOS, which is the most common cause of hormonal imbalance in women. “PCOS often disrupts ovulation and causes irregular menstruation, making it…

Infusion pumps are life-saving medical devices used by millions of healthcare professionals to deliver fluids, such as nutrients and medications, into a patient’s body in controlled amounts. The pump is also useful for giving blood transfusions and delivering both short- and long-term doses of medication. They are frequently used in hospitals and assisted living facilities to give chemotherapy medications, painkillers, or antibiotics. Patients unable to eat on their own are also fed by infusion pumps in a flexible tubing that attaches the pump to the patient’s vein or artery under regulated conditions. An infusion pump, when used by a skilled…

The Kingdom of Eswatini is grappling with a significant shortage of health practitioners, with the health labor report highlighting the need for at least 20,272 health workers in 2022, yet the available workforce is only 10,531 short, causing a significant gap in the healthcare system. The Health Labour Market Analysis Report, conducted by the government in partnership with the World Health Organization, highlights the urgent need for strategic intervention to address the shortage of health workers in Eswatini, projected to reach 26,563 by 2032. The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Susan Tembo, Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, and…

The human ear, a marvel of biological engineering, is our gateway to the world of sound. These organs, which extend from either side of the head, are directly over your temporal lobe, the part of your brain responsible for hearing, speech, memory, and some emotions. Ears are fascinating organs that are a complex part of an even more complex sensory system that not only enables us to hear but also maintains our balance. This intricate organ is composed of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part plays a specific role in the…

Whereas tongue twisters, lollipops, and pulling faces at your siblings and friends may lead you to believe that tongues are only for fun, did you also know that tongues are organs? The tongue is an important sensory organ that helps us talk, taste, digest, and eat. Often the strongest muscle, it is the only one in the body that functions without help from your skeleton. This unique organ located in the oral cavity is anchored inside your mouth by webs of strong tissue, and it’s covered by mucosa (a moist, pink lining that covers certain organs and body cavities). Your…