Strengthening neurosurgical training programs in Sub-saharan Africa: a medical student's perspective.

This article provides a nuanced exploration of the state and exigencies of neurosurgical training in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), viewed through the discerning lens of a medical student. The region has a pronounced scarcity of neurosurgical services, further compounded by sociocultural intricacies and infrastructural inadequacies, resulting in elevated mortality and morbidity rates. The insufficiency of neurosurgeons, facilities, and training centers, particularly in remote areas, exacerbates this predicament. The imperative to fortify neurosurgical training programs is underscored, necessitating a multifaceted approach inclusive of international collaborations and innovative strategies. The challenges impeding neurosurgical training program implementation range from constrained infrastructure to faculty shortages and financial constraints. Recommendations encompass infrastructural investments, faculty development initiatives, and augmented community engagement. An exploration of neurosurgical training programs across diverse African regions reveals commendable strides and imminent deficits, warranting heightened international collaboration. Furthermore, technological innovations, including virtual reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence, are posited as transformative conduits for augmenting neurosurgical training in SSA. The article concludes with a sagacious compendium of recommendations, encompassing standardized curricula, mentorship paradigms, and stringent evaluation mechanisms, all combining efficaciously fortifying neurosurgical insight in SSA and producing transformative improvements in healthcare outcomes.

Norway's Battery Electric Vehicles and Public Health- Findings From the Literature.

The transportation sector is among the highest contributors to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in European nations, with private cars emerging as the primary source. Although reducing emissions presents a formidable challenge, the emergence of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) offers a promising and sustainable avenue toward achieving zero greenhouse gases within the transportation infrastructure. Since the 1990s, the Norwegian parliament has fervently supported this transition, leveraging public awareness campaigns and a range of financial incentives for its users nationwide. The widespread utilization of BEVs promises substantial health benefits, including ensuring cleaner air for all citizens regardless of their socioeconomic status and fostering improvements in public health outcomes. This transition potentially curtails hundreds of thousands of annual deaths attributed to climate change, enhances the quality of life, bolsters civilian productivity, and fuels economic and population growth. The adoption of BEVs offers a myriad of advantages, including reduced health risks and premature mortality, as well as a quieter environment with diminished noise pollution. Nonetheless, the integration of BEVs necessitates robust road infrastructure with considerable maintenance costs, alongside limitations on driving range for users. Concerns arise regarding potential particle emissions from BEV tire wear due to the increased weight of batteries compared to conventional vehicles. Rapid acceleration capabilities may accelerate tire degradation, contributing to higher particle emissions, of which only 10% to 20% remain suspended in the air, whereas the majority settles on road surfaces, posing a threat to nearby aquatic ecosystems when washed into water bodies and soils. While BEVs hold promise for valuable benefits, successful policy creation and implementation require a detailed awareness of their limitations and challenges to ensure a comprehensive approach to sustainable mobility and public health improvement. Therefore, more research on the limitations of BEVs can help inform improved tactics for maximizing their benefits while limiting potential disadvantages.

A swift transition to electric vehicles is a good public health intervention that benefits the quality of the air and climate systems. It is expedient to know that this new technology will not solve all problems caused by transportation systems, as there will always be some unwanted and unexpected side effects as usual with new technologies. We suggest more advanced research on EVs shortcomings for better understanding and usage.

Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction.

Stigma poses a significant barrier to accessing care, managing, and preventing infectious diseases in Africa. The authors conducted an extensive search across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify relevant English-language articles, with no constraints on publication dates, using the keywords "Stigma," and "Infectious Disease," in conjunction with "Africa." This article explores the multifaceted nature of stigma associated with infectious diseases, highlighting its impact on healthcare access and public health outcomes. It delves into the current situation of infectious disease-related stigma in Africa, emphasizing the various diseases and contexts affected. The article identifies drivers of stigma, including negative attitudes, misinformation, and institutional practices, and discusses their role in perpetuating discrimination. Importantly, it provides recommendations for addressing infectious disease stigma in Africa through comprehensive strategies encompassing health education, contact-based interventions, professionalized counselling and peer support services, and community engagement. The article calls for collaboration among governments, healthcare organizations, NGOs, and community leaders to implement holistic strategies that prioritize inclusivity and stigma reduction. Ultimately, it underscores the urgent need to combat stigma to improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals affected by infectious diseases in Africa.

The Re-emergence of Diphtheria Amidst Multiple Outbreaks in Nigeria.

Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, has resurfaced in Nigeria, where many outbreaks have been reported in recent years. The outbreaks have occurred across the country, including in areas with high vaccination coverage. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causal agent, is a highly contagious bacteria that can cause severe respiratory and systemic symptoms and can be fatal if not treated. The reemergence of diphtheria in Nigeria is most likely due to a combination of factors, including gaps in routine immunization regimens. The outbreak is further aggravated by multiple epidemics, which have diverted resources and attention away from the emergency of other infectious diseases. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness of diphtheria in Nigeria. With a focus on the difficulties in controlling the disease, methods of diagnosis, available treatments, and preventive measures, this study provides a thorough analysis of diphtheria, covering its historical context, clinical presentation, associated complications, and current outbreaks. It emphasizes how important vaccination, early detection, and better access to healthcare are in reducing diphtheria outbreaks. The study highlights the serious effects of diphtheria on public health, particularly in regions with scarce resources and vaccine resistance, and offers a number of suggestions to overcome these challenges and prevent further outbreaks.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak What You Need to Know.

HFMD is an obvious disease in children mostly below the age of five constituting a public health challenge to Asian-Pacific and developing countries majorly. This disease is often caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackievirus A16. HFMD is a mild degree fever and general illness which manifests for about 10 days. Young age, male gender, poor hygiene, and high social contacts are some risk factors. HFMD can be diagnosed clinically by isolating the virus from stool and pharynx and identifying it on Light microscopic examination. Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay is a gold standard for confirming the virus from swabbed lesions. Late confirmation could lead to severe complications. There are no specific treatments and vaccines licensed for general use in the treatment of various serotypes of HFMD. The major strategy to prevent and control this disease is to strictly follow the WHO 8 guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.

XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant rise to a variant of interest: Implications for global alertness and preparedness.

The emergence of the XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant of COVID-19 has been a cause for concern for the WHO and health authorities globally. This subvariant, which originated from a hybrid of two BA.2 progeny pedigree, has two amino acid mutations in its spike protein and shares a genetic makeup similar to the XBB.1.5 variant. The WHO initially labeled it as a variant under monitoring before elevating it to a variant of interest after it was found to have caused a surge of COVID-19 cases in India for seven months. The XBB.1.16 subvariant has a proliferative edge and can evade the immune system. It has been spreading rapidly on a global scale and has been linked with a higher effective reproductive number than other subvariants. As such, a concerted international effort to prevent and contain its transmission has been recommended. Health authorities must strengthen their health systems, surveillance, and data collection systems to enable them to detect, track, and respond to emerging and reemerging strains of the virus in a timely and effective manner. Research into the XBB.1.16 subvariant is crucial for alerting and preparing the global populace for a potential outbreak, developing treatment options, and potential vaccines. Implementing the One Health approach can promote greater collaboration between diverse disciplines and societal levels to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.