Although the governments of UN member countries had adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, a lot more work needs to be done to deliver on these promises by 2030. Thirty-six Asia Pacific nations had met in Thailand for Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) but largely failed to agree with consensus on a regional roadmap to achieve these promises by 2030. The window of opportunity is not closed yet - Asia Pacific nations still can demonstrate leadership on implementing SDGs by agreeing on an ambitious plan to move forward.Should Asia Pacific lead the world with robust roadmap for sustainable development?
Although the governments of UN member countries had adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, a lot more work needs to be done to deliver on these promises by 2030. Thirty-six Asia Pacific nations had met in Thailand for Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) but largely failed to agree with consensus on a regional roadmap to achieve these promises by 2030. The window of opportunity is not closed yet - Asia Pacific nations still can demonstrate leadership on implementing SDGs by agreeing on an ambitious plan to move forward.
Ranking Dem with World Bank oversight demands end to WB's unethical water dealings
Justice Rajindar Sachar releases first list of Socialist Party candidates for UP elections
[Call to register] Webinar for media in lead up to World Asthma Day 2016
[WEBINAR RECORDING] We welcome you to register
for an exclusive media webinar in lead up to this year's World Asthma Day. Our governments have committed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs - by 2030, one of which is to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030. We need to ensure that asthma rates are declining, and declining fast enough so as to reduce the burden of all NCDs including asthma by 1/3rd by 2030, or earlier!
When living becomes a pain: MDR-TB
TB is an intimidating word in the world of public health. Even though the disease is centuries old, it was only in 1882 that Dr Robert Koch discovered the TB bacillus—the agent that causes TB. Antibiotics were used against TB for the first time in 1944 after the discovery of streptomycin. But use of this drug alone led to antibiotic resistance that is still a major problem.
Ending the TB epidemic
Dr Amitava Acharyya, CNS Correspondent, India
TB which finds mention in Indian ancient texts, seems to be as old Indian civilization. In Ayurveda, it is included in “Sosha” group of diseases. These are diseases with a prominent feature of wasting, and there are other symptoms such as cough and blood-spitting. According to Indian mythology the Moon-god, was the first to become a victim of TB, and so the disease is also known as Rajayakshma—the king’s disease.
TB which finds mention in Indian ancient texts, seems to be as old Indian civilization. In Ayurveda, it is included in “Sosha” group of diseases. These are diseases with a prominent feature of wasting, and there are other symptoms such as cough and blood-spitting. According to Indian mythology the Moon-god, was the first to become a victim of TB, and so the disease is also known as Rajayakshma—the king’s disease.
Malawi needs to expand TB control interventions
Martin Chiwanda, CNS Correspondent, Malawi
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that Malawi must expand interventions to control TB as it is one of the developing countries with very high incidence of the epidemic. The Director of WHO Global TB Programme Dr Mario Raviglione, in an interview via a webinar hosted by Citizen News Service (CNS) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said that Malawi government needs to fully adhere to the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which Goal 3 targets to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that Malawi must expand interventions to control TB as it is one of the developing countries with very high incidence of the epidemic. The Director of WHO Global TB Programme Dr Mario Raviglione, in an interview via a webinar hosted by Citizen News Service (CNS) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said that Malawi government needs to fully adhere to the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which Goal 3 targets to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Business outside the box to combat MDR-TB
Catherine Mwauyakufa, CNS Correspondent, Zimbabwe
The approach of business as usual has to end, as tackling MDR-TB is an emergency that calls for unusual approaches if we are to meet the target of ending TB by 2030, as envisaged in one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The world has to combat multi drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) on a war footing to make the dream of ending TB by 2030 a reality.
The approach of business as usual has to end, as tackling MDR-TB is an emergency that calls for unusual approaches if we are to meet the target of ending TB by 2030, as envisaged in one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The world has to combat multi drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) on a war footing to make the dream of ending TB by 2030 a reality.
85% pictorial warnings and curbing selling of tobacco in smaller packs both positive for public health
Dr Raghav Gattani, CNS Medical Correspondent
It is an important public health development that government of India has not bowed down to conflict-of-interest riddled Parliamentary Committee recommendations to reduce pictorial warning size and from 1st April 2016 implemented the 85% pictorial warnings on all tobacco products. Not only the size of pictorial warnings remains as directed earlier 85% but also minimum size of warnings has also been prescribed, which will help in stopping sale of tobacco in smaller packs.
It is an important public health development that government of India has not bowed down to conflict-of-interest riddled Parliamentary Committee recommendations to reduce pictorial warning size and from 1st April 2016 implemented the 85% pictorial warnings on all tobacco products. Not only the size of pictorial warnings remains as directed earlier 85% but also minimum size of warnings has also been prescribed, which will help in stopping sale of tobacco in smaller packs.
Early and accurate diagnosis of TB and lung cancer vital: No excuse for misdiagnosis!
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| Dr Natthaya Triphuridet, Thailand |
Strike at the root of the problem to kill TB
Shobha Shukla, Citizen News Service - CNS
When I met Goodman Makanda, in Khayelitsha - outside of Cape Town in South Africa, he had already been into almost two years of treatment for extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB. He was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in November 2013, when he was 30 years old. As if this was not enough, after 3 months of treatment, he was told in January 2014 that his MDR-TB had escalated to extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB).
When I met Goodman Makanda, in Khayelitsha - outside of Cape Town in South Africa, he had already been into almost two years of treatment for extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB. He was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in November 2013, when he was 30 years old. As if this was not enough, after 3 months of treatment, he was told in January 2014 that his MDR-TB had escalated to extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB).
Would Bhagat Singh have raised slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'?
Dr Sandeep Pandey and Dr Rahul Pandey, CNS Columnists
As we know the great revolutionary Bhagat Singh was an atheist. He wrote a famous article 'Why I am an Atheist?' Even after he knew that he was going to be hanged by the British government his commitment to his principles was not shaken. Neither did he regret his action of exploding the harmless bomb in Central Assembly at Delhi nor did he seek any apology from the British.
As we know the great revolutionary Bhagat Singh was an atheist. He wrote a famous article 'Why I am an Atheist?' Even after he knew that he was going to be hanged by the British government his commitment to his principles was not shaken. Neither did he regret his action of exploding the harmless bomb in Central Assembly at Delhi nor did he seek any apology from the British.
What does it take to beat drug-resistant TB?
Shobha Shukla, Citizen News Service - CNS
I met Lucy in Khayelishta (near CapeTown) on the bright sunny morning of 4th December 2015—just two days after she had celebrated the 10th birthday of her lovely daughter. A cured multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB survivor, her face glowed with the happiness and pride of winning her battle against two dreadful diseases.
I met Lucy in Khayelishta (near CapeTown) on the bright sunny morning of 4th December 2015—just two days after she had celebrated the 10th birthday of her lovely daughter. A cured multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB survivor, her face glowed with the happiness and pride of winning her battle against two dreadful diseases.
[Call to register] Webinar in lead up to World TB Day 2016
[Webinar recording
] We welcome you to register
for an exclusive media webinar in lead up to this year's World TB Day. Our governments committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs - by 2030, one of which is to end TB by 2030. We need to ensure that TB rates are declining, and declining fast enough to end TB by 2030, or earlier!
] We welcome you to register
for an exclusive media webinar in lead up to this year's World TB Day. Our governments committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs - by 2030, one of which is to end TB by 2030. We need to ensure that TB rates are declining, and declining fast enough to end TB by 2030, or earlier!
Growing demand for independent inquiry into Kakrapar nuclear plant leak
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| CNS image library (not of Kakrapar) |
International Women’s Day: A ‘Pledge for Parity’
Catherine Mwauyakufa, CNS Correspondent, Zimbabwe
International women’s day is marked the world over on March 8 and this year’s theme is ‘Pledge for Parity’. There is need to celebrate success and for Zimbabwean women have a cause to celebrate a number of successes, on the gender equality front, where we have scored high. The International Community of Women living with HIV in Zimbabwe (ICW) commemorated the day in Harare.
International women’s day is marked the world over on March 8 and this year’s theme is ‘Pledge for Parity’. There is need to celebrate success and for Zimbabwean women have a cause to celebrate a number of successes, on the gender equality front, where we have scored high. The International Community of Women living with HIV in Zimbabwe (ICW) commemorated the day in Harare.
[Call for applications] CNS Health Fellowship Programme 2016-2017
Breaking the stereotype
Avantika Chaturvedi, CNS Correspondent, India
Menstruation is a normal biological process and a key sign of reproductive health, yet in many cultures it is treated as something negative, shameful or dirty. There are many myths and misconceptions that surround the process of menstruation and hide the sexual and reproductive health aspects of it, jeopardising the sexual health of young girls and women and increasing their vulnerability to sexual transmitted infections.
Menstruation is a normal biological process and a key sign of reproductive health, yet in many cultures it is treated as something negative, shameful or dirty. There are many myths and misconceptions that surround the process of menstruation and hide the sexual and reproductive health aspects of it, jeopardising the sexual health of young girls and women and increasing their vulnerability to sexual transmitted infections.
Catch them young: Targeted marketing of tobacco to young women
Alice Tembe, CNS Correspondent, Swaziland
In this era of social networking and global world existence, life styles are defined by what is fashionable— be it the dress they wear, songs they sing and the food they eat. Young people from all over the world do not want to be left behind but rather be centre stage of whatever is touted as ‘cool and trendy’.
In this era of social networking and global world existence, life styles are defined by what is fashionable— be it the dress they wear, songs they sing and the food they eat. Young people from all over the world do not want to be left behind but rather be centre stage of whatever is touted as ‘cool and trendy’.
Tobacco control for women: We have not come a long way!
Dr Richa Sharma, CNS Correspondent, India
Sometime ago, I saw on the internet the words ‘strong woman’ written against a background of a woman smoking a cigarette. It left a strong impression on my mind and I wondered how a cigarette with some smoke, alongside a woman, can convey ideas of individuality and independence of females. Well, this is how the tobacco industry has been getting to the women for a very long time.
Cancer: Pain and Hope
Dr Amitava Acharyya, CNS Correspondent, India
I was at a loss for words, when an educated lady from Pune asked me: “No smoking, no drinking, no pan, no guthka; and yet he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within 3 months. Please tell me the reasons of lung cancer?” Obviously, this query came from a person, who had lost a near one to lung cancer.
I was at a loss for words, when an educated lady from Pune asked me: “No smoking, no drinking, no pan, no guthka; and yet he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within 3 months. Please tell me the reasons of lung cancer?” Obviously, this query came from a person, who had lost a near one to lung cancer.
India's 2016-2017 budget reflects a mirage for universal health
Dr Sandeep Pandey and Bobby Ramakant, CNS
India's draft National Health Policy 2015 was riddled with privatisation bid and it is no surprise that 2016-2017 budget too takes that agenda forward. Also earlier this month Indian government indicated its intent to exit from hospital 'sector' (along with Air India).
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