This document presents the findings of a modelling study that examined in detail the costs and benefits of tuberculosis (TB) screening plus TB preventive treatment (TPT) in four countries – Brazil, Georgia, Kenya and South Africa – which may serve as examples for other settings with a similar epidemiological context. …
Many flamingos were recently found dead on the shores of Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria in western Kenya. Researchers attribute their death to pollution. "We have identified several toxic metals present in their bodies,' said Ramesh Thamphy, Rift Valley lakes specialist of the World Wide Fund for Nature ( wwf …
Africa's first consignment of cheap generic antiretroviral drugs for treating AIDS was given to Kenya's Nyumbani Orphanage on June 12, 2001. "It's the beginning of the flow of medicines that have hitherto been prohibited,' said Angelo D'Agostino, a priest who runs the orphanage. Five-year-old Dickson, made history by becoming the …
The Kenya Coalition for Access to Essential Medicines, a representative of all non-governmental organisations of the country, is putting pressure on the parliament to pass the Industrial Property Bill. This bill would allow the country to buy drugs at cheaper prices. Kenya's pharmaceutical industry has refused to sell life-saving drugs …
The presbyterian church of Kenya has urged the people to vote against the present ruling party during the forthcoming elections, as the government has failed to combat pollution. "The government's attitude is leading to serious environmental degradation,' the church alleged. Heaps of garbage are scattered in many urban areas, including …
At least 50,000 flamingos died in the East African region between 1993 and 1995, largely due to pollution, reports Panafrican News Agency. A number of metals have found their way into Lake Nakuru, Kenya, home to millions of flamingos, from chemical plants in the nearby Nakuru town. The presence of …
The Japanese capital Tokyo receives 1,400 mm of rain in a year. But concrete prevents it from percolating into the ground. Urban flooding and acute water scarcity affected the people almost every second year. The solution to both problems lay in rainwater harvesting. Sumida City was the first ward of …
When I was speaker of the Lok Sabha, I called a special session to discuss serious issues confronting the country. I don't think water was discussed in this special session. We never thought of it. We talked about corruption and criminalisation. Experts and politicians will have to come together at …
Three countries in Southeast Asia -- Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines-- have made efforts to provide drinking water by capturing rain. In Thailand, the absence of foreign assistance for large-scale water projects forced the government to look at smaller options, with great success. The Population and Community Development Association, an …
Environmentalists in Kenya have decided to file a lawsuit against the government on charges of deforestation. The forest forum sub-committee, an umbrella organisation of environmentalists, wants the government to annul its proposal to use 67,582 hectares of forestland in Rift Valley and central provinces for farming activities. Francis Nyenze, the …
The Mau forest in Kenya has become a centre of controversy. Environmentalists allege that the Kenyan government has failed to prevent deforestation in the area, despite a ban issued by the Kenya high court. The Mau forest is a reserve area and home to some 10,000 Ogiek indigenous people. "The …
The natural habitat around the Mount Kenya Forest has been destroyed extensively, reveals a recent Kenya wildlife service survey. Human activity is to be blamed for this large-scale destruction. "More than 14,662 indigenous trees, 6,700 of them camphor, have been destroyed through illegal logging,' said Christian Lambrechts of the un …
The Samburu people of northern Kenya have co-existed with elephants since time immemorial. The Samburu-elephant co-existence is facilitated by local knowledge gained through real experiences from direct interactions with, and actual observation of the elephant
Seedlings of genetically modified ( gm ) potatoes are currently being housed at two greenhouses in Nairobi, Kenya. The potatoes have been genetically modified by scientists from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute with the help of us -based Monsanto Life Sciences Company, private institutions and the us government. These potatoes …
Tobacco-related diseases are likely to become the biggest killer in Africa in the next 20 years, according to the us -based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( cdc ). Tobacco will cause more deaths than malaria, tuberculosis, maternal mortality, automobile crashes, homicides and suicides combined, says Lawrence Green, a …
Life for millions in Kenya could change dramatically because of a new solar lantern. Ninety per cent of the households in the country are without electricity. Intermediate Technology Consultants ( itc ), a British non-profit consultancy firm has launched the Glowstar lantern, which is cheap, reliable and eco-friendly. It does …
At least 21 million citizens of Nairobi are facing acute water shortage. Citizens allege that mismanagement, corruption and lack of preparedness on the part the government officials have led to the present state of affairs. The government on the other hand blames drought of the past three years. Water scarcity …
With 23 million Kenyans facing shortage of food due to failure of seasonal rains, President Daniel arap Moi has appealed for food aid from the us and the European Union. The President made this appeal while addressing a rally at his rural home near the farming town of Nakuru, 140 …
The slump in rainfall, as experienced in most parts of South Africa, will result in a severe spell of prolonged drought, according to a warning issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department ( kmd ). They have predicted that the severity of this drought, which commenced last year, will be worse …
An international meet of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( cites ) of wild flora and fauna, held recently in Nairobi with over 2,500 delegates from 150 countries attending saw Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe buckle under pressure from India and Kenya and agree to delay …
