Confusion over the role of tattoos in blood cancer

A team that includes a researcher and professor at the University of Lund in Switzerland, Christel Nielsen, is going to conduct an in-depth study on whether tattooing has anything to do with developing a blood cancer known as 'lymphoma'.

Copy right from Google 

This is after researchers at this university conducted a study to see if tattooing does not cause blood cancer and found no evidence to support it.

The researchers studied 12,000 people, 3,000 of whom had blood cancer and had tattoos on their bodies.

These researchers concluded that having a tattoo is only one of the possible causes of cancer, stressing that there is no evidence that tattoos cause blood cancer because the subjects who were studied were of retirement age and some of them were smokers, and this is also one of the factors that can cause a person to be attacked by 'this type of cancer.

They said that to confirm that tattoos cause cancer, more research should be done.

According to Christel Nielisen, a team of researchers from Lund University is going to play it deeper to find out if getting blood cancer could be caused by getting a tattoo.

At what age should you stop drinking alcohol?

American Dr. Richard Restak, who is an expert in the care of brain health, especially in the prevention of dementia, points out that starting at the age of 65, a person should give up alcohol completely, because of how it damages the brain, especially in the elderly.

On June 19, 2024, the newspaper 7 Sur 7 reported that although Dr. Richard Restak provided the information, it does not mean that alcohol is good for human health and for those in other age groups under 65.

Another thing that this story explains is that Dr. Restak's answer comes back to the effects of alcohol on the brain only, but it should not be forgotten that there are other negative effects of it on other parts of the body as well.

In support of this, we use the example of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) which occurs in the brain after vitamin B1 deficiency, as a result of chronic alcohol consumption.

The sufferer is affected by depression, loss of muscle function, paralysis of facial muscles, etc.

In addition to being affected by this disease, drinking alcohol contributes to the rapid aging of the brain, loss of the ability to make decisions and solve problems, loss of the ability to control emotions, and other harms to human life.

40 health centers in Rwanda have been provided with Starlink internet 

40 health centers around the country have been connected to high-speed internet using Starlink satellites. It is an activity achieved by the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health and Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with the Tony Blair Institute, TBI.

The launch of this satellite internet service is one of Rwanda's ongoing efforts to simplify and improve access to internet services for the public.

Rwanda has also taken an important step in bringing the internet to the people, where a 'fiber optic' network with a length of 15,785 kilometers has been delivered to urban areas in all 30 regions. Another thing is that 97% of people have access to 4G internet.

However, due to the nature of Rwanda, it is difficult to get 'fiber optic' internet, which is why satellite internet is used, especially in remote rural areas.

In this context, the Tony Blair Institute, TBI, is cooperating with Rwanda in the implementation of the Starlink internet delivery program in health centers in the country, through a project called 'Tomorrow Partnership'.

The director of the Tony Blair Institute in Rwanda, Stella Mugabo, pointed out that in these times high-speed internet is the key to providing quality health services.

He said, "We are happy to cooperate with the Government of Rwanda in determining the way forward."

For 16 years, the Tony Blair Institute has been working closely with the Government of Rwanda in various projects and activities focusing on the Vision 2050 plan.

 How Ebola Struck Africa and Its Global Impact

In the dense jungles of Central Africa, a deadly virus quietly lurked among the wildlife for centuries. Little did anyone know, that this virus, known as Ebola, would one day leap from animals to humans, causing a devastating outbreak. Ebola virus disease (EVD) emerged sporadically, but when outbreaks occurred, they struck with terrifying speed and severity.

The first signs of Ebola infection are flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. As the virus progresses, it can cause severe internal bleeding and organ failure. The mortality rate is shockingly high, ranging from 25% to 90% depending on the outbreak and the medical care available. This made Ebola not just a disease, but a nightmare for those affected.

When Ebola outbreaks hit communities, fear spread faster than the virus itself. Entire villages could be quarantined, leaving people isolated and frightened. Health workers, clad in protective suits that resembled spacesuits, became heroes risking their lives to care for the sick and dying. International aid poured in, as the world watched with concern and compassion.

Treatment for Ebola is challenging. There is no specific cure, but supportive care such as fluids and electrolytes can help patients survive. Experimental treatments and vaccines have been developed, offering hope for future outbreaks. However, prevention remains crucial: isolating patients, practicing strict hygiene, and safe burial practices can limit the virus's spread.

The impact of Ebola extends far beyond health. Economies suffer as trade and travel are restricted. Families are torn apart, losing loved ones and livelihoods. Yet, amidst the devastation, stories of resilience emerge. Communities rally together, educating each other on prevention and supporting survivors. Scientists work tirelessly to understand the virus and develop better treatments.

Ebola outbreaks also spark global health emergencies. International organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinate responses, deploying experts and resources to contain the virus and support affected countries. Cooperation between nations becomes critical as borders blur in the face of a common threat.

Over time, lessons are learned from each outbreak. Preparedness improves as countries develop response plans and stockpile supplies. Research into vaccines and treatments accelerates, offering hope for a world where Ebola can be prevented or effectively managed.

In the end, the story of Ebola is one of fear, loss, and resilience. It is a reminder of the fragility of health and the strength of humanity. As the world continues to battle emerging infectious diseases, the lessons learned from Ebola remain invaluable, guiding efforts to protect global health for generations to come.

Central Africa: The Rwandan army provided free medical services to the population

Central Africa: The Rwandan army provided free medical services to the population

The Rwandan army, which is part of the (Battle Group VI), working in the mission of the United Nations in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), provided free medical services to the people of Bria, a village in Dahouga.

In the event that took place on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the medical services provided focused on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as malaria, respiratory diseases and those with stomach problems.

Residents are also screened for non-communicable diseases including blood pressure and weight, and are offered dental and eye care services.

The Mayor of Bria, Mr. Maurice Balekouzou, praised the good relations and strong friendship between Rwandans and Central Africans. He also thanked the Rwandan Armed Forces who are part of the MINUSCA mission for their great support in providing medical care to the people, which improves the general well-being of the people.

Lt Col Tharcisse MPFIZI, Commander of Battle Group VI, said that in addition to protecting civilians, the Rwandan peacekeeping forces in Central Africa are committed to improving the welfare of the people they protect.

This includes providing essential health services to improve the lives of the people of Central Africa. He also emphasized that they will continue to cooperate with the people in fulfilling their responsibility to support and maintain peace and security in the Central African Republic.

Learn about 'Hemophilia' which can cause death or disability

 Learn about 'Hemophilia' which can cause death or disability

The Hemophilia Society, together with the Rwanda Health Center (RBC), is calling on people with symptoms of the disease to seek early diagnosis to prevent death or disability.

Mujawimana Clementine, who lives at Muhima in Nyarugenge, has had 4 births in total, where the babies are born with bleeding, but after finding out that she is suffering from Hemophilia, she gave up.

"I always go to the doctor where my 3 children are bleeding profusely, and I take them to medicate. The child may eat a piece of cake or chew a piece of chewing gum, and start bleeding from the mouth."

Majawimana says that she and her husband do not have a problem with bleeding, but that one of her older brothers has bleeding that lasts for a long time. Nsengiyumva Amos, 29 years old, says that he was born with Hemophilia and it was difficult for him for many years while the treatment for the disease had not arrived in Rwanda (before 2014). At the age of five, Nsengiyumva noticed a swelling in the knee of his leg, and after a while, he felt as if he was injured.

It is a disease that is transmitted from a parent or another blood relative to some of the children born in that family, and a person may be born without a cell (protein) that helps the blood to heal.

If a person who has it is injured or bleeds due to something else, it stops bleeding quickly (hakuma), but if you don't have it, it continues to bleed, which is called Hemophilia.A person suffering from Hemophilia requires an injection called 'Factor', otherwise they bleed to death, or experience complications including permanent disability.

Symptoms of Hemophilia

The head of the Rwanda Fraternity Against Hemophilia, Sylvestre Murindabyuma, says that there are things that people call magic, but they don't know that they are sick or have suffered from a disease of blood that cannot be treated.

Symptoms of Hemophilia

This image shows the signs and symptoms

Murindavyuma says that blood can flow from the joints of joints such as the elbows, knees, groin, and ankles, and become swollen and discolored, until the bones that connect them are broken, and the person becomes disabled.

There are cases where a person bleeds from the skin inside, from the tissues that connect the flesh and bones, or from the flesh and the swelling, and the blood is covered (called Hematoma).

Some bleed in the mouth and chin, especially when a person has a tooth, or an injury to the chin due to a fall or eating something hard, and some bleed after surgery or injections.

The Hemophilia Society continues to say that some suffer from cerebral palsy, which is manifested by weakness and nausea, which can eventually lead to paralysis, blindness, or long-term coma.

Murindavyuma says that a person with a slow discharge from the nose, as well as irregular periods, can also go to the doctor to check for hemophilia, where the machine that tests for this disease is located at CHUK Hospital.

He said, "There are those who see a person who has started to faint and have swollen joints, and they go to seek witch doctors and shoot him (and leave), and in a short time the person is dead."

He said, "We appreciate the Rwandan government for the way they live close to this disease, we have been showing it but we are few, we ask them to increase their support in supporting us, so that they have a role in searching around for those living with these symptoms to be tested, identified, and helped before they die."

At the moment, one unit of factor (Factor) is bought for more than 1.200 million Rwandan francs, and a patient with severe hemophilia will have to take this medicine at least once every week.

The Rwanda Fraternity Against Hemophilia does not ask those who have this disease so that they can be identified and treated early, because they have a donor who gives them free medicine.

So far the machine in CHUK has detected 96 Hemophilia patients out of about 1600 Rwandans who are suspected of having the problem.

The RBC employee in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Evariste Ntaganda, says that a campaign has been started on Hemophilia, as well as training for doctors working in hospitals and health centers so that those who are unable to help are immediately sent to CHUK Hospital to see if it is not Hemophilia.

Dr Ntaganda said, "We are saying that now people know about it, he will find that he has a problem and he will show it."

Regarding the measures RBC will take due to the problem of expensive Hemophilia drugs, Dr Ntaganda says that what was difficult was to first know the number of Rwandans affected by this disease, so that they can find cheap drugs.

The Challenge of Marburg Virus Disease in Africa: A Persistent Threat

ⓒfrom frontiersin

Since its discovery in the 1960s, Marburg virus disease has posed a serious health challenge in Africa. This rare but deadly virus belongs to the same family as Ebola virus and is believed to originate from bats. It can cause severe illness in humans, with symptoms ranging from fever, chills, and headache to severe bleeding and organ failure.

Outbreaks of Marburg virus disease have occurred sporadically in several African countries, often in regions where people come into contact with bats or caves inhabited by bats. The virus can spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or tissues, making healthcare workers and family members of patients particularly vulnerable.

The signs of Marburg virus disease typically appear abruptly and progress rapidly. Early symptoms resemble those of influenza, such as fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. As the disease advances, it can lead to more severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhagic manifestations like bleeding from the gums, nose, and other organs.

Preventing Marburg virus disease involves several key measures. First and foremost is raising awareness about the virus and educating communities on how it spreads. Avoiding contact with bats and their habitats, as well as avoiding consumption of bushmeat from wild animals, reduces the risk of exposure. In healthcare settings, implementing strict infection control measures—such as wearing personal protective equipment and safely handling medical waste—is crucial to preventing transmission among healthcare workers and patients.

Efforts to develop a vaccine for Marburg virus disease are ongoing, although none has been widely available for public use as of 2024. During outbreaks, rapid identification of cases, isolation of patients, and contact tracing are essential to containing the spread of the virus. International organizations and local health authorities collaborate to respond swiftly to outbreaks, providing medical care and support to affected communities.

In conclusion, Marburg virus disease remains a challenging public health issue in Africa, requiring ongoing vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent and control outbreaks. By continuing to invest in research, public health infrastructure, and community education, countries can reduce the impact of this deadly virus and protect the health of their populations.

Fighting Mosquitoes and Vaccinating Communities to Defeat Yellow Fever

Yellow fever has had a significant impact on both Africa and South America from the 1960s to the present day. This viral disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species. It can cause a range of symptoms, from mild fever and headache to severe cases involving jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), bleeding, and organ failure.

In Africa, yellow fever outbreaks have been a recurring challenge, affecting communities across the continent. The virus thrives in tropical and subtropical regions where mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Rural areas are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to healthcare and vaccination services.

Symptoms of yellow fever often start suddenly and include fever, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, some patients develop severe symptoms such as jaundice and bleeding. Without prompt medical care, yellow fever can be fatal, especially in severe cases where liver and kidney functions are compromised.

Preventing yellow fever primarily involves vaccination. The yellow fever vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing immunity for at least 10 years and often for life. Mass vaccination campaigns have been crucial in controlling outbreaks and protecting populations at risk. Additionally, efforts to control mosquito populations through insecticide spraying and eliminating breeding sites help reduce the transmission of the virus.

In South America, similar efforts have been made to combat yellow fever. Vaccination campaigns have targeted vulnerable populations in urban and rural areas, aiming to prevent outbreaks and protect public health. Thanks to these efforts, many countries in South America have successfully reduced the burden of yellow fever, although sporadic outbreaks still occur.

Overall, the history of yellow fever in Africa and South America from the 1960s to 2024 reflects ongoing efforts to control and eliminate the disease. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, supported by mosquito control measures and public health interventions. By continuing these efforts, countries can mitigate the impact of yellow fever and strive towards a future where the disease is no longer a threat to communities worldwide.