Health

Mogadishu (AX) — In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, a verbal tiff unfurled recently, akin to a tempest brewing in a teapot. Somalia's Health Minister, Ali Haji Hassan, took center stage, wielding words with the precision of a maestro conducting a symphony. His subject of critique? Presidential Envoy Ali Jeyte’s remarks, which he compared to a loose cannon on deck—a tad reckless and potentially as disruptive to efforts against Al-Shabaab as a bull in a china shop. Jeyte, the face of the community's grassroots defense…

Pope Francis, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, has opened up about his health and his future in a new autobiography, and his words are a breath of fresh air. “I am well,” he asserts confidently in a book now available in over 100 countries. Yet, he adds with a hint of humility, “The reality is, quite simply, that I am old.” Despite the challenges he faces daily—often relying on a wheelchair to navigate the Vatican halls due to persistent knee and back pain—the pope insists that age doesn't diminish the vigor of…

Monday January 13, 2025 Under the golden yet oppressive Californian sun, Hussein Mohamud Bulow finds himself contemplating the menu at his quaint Somali eatery tucked away in southern Los Angeles. It's hard not to notice the weight on his shoulders as he wistfully recalls better days before the thick shroud of smoke and ash from the encroaching wildfires turned life topsy-turvy. These blazes have painted a rather grim picture, discouraging Angelenos from venturing out for a meal and leaving local business owners, like…

Smoke and Scramble: Life Under the Wildfire's Shadow in Los Angeles The scene at Teddy's Cocina in Pasadena, California, was bustling—almost a small oasis of normalcy amid chaos. As wildfire evacuees dug into their lunches and locals scuttled indoors to escape the brown, smoky air choking the city, one couldn’t help but feel a touch surreal. A meal had never felt so poignant. Dulce Perez, a cook at the restaurant, succinctly described the experience: “It's not breathable.” And who could argue? It felt as if the sky had…

The Kenyan Health Ministry has stepped forward to calm public nervousness about the buzz surrounding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) flu outbreak over in China. Despite the chatter, they’re saying, “Stay cool, folks!” while giving the nod to those with gnarly respiratory symptoms—if it hits hard, go see a doc. To clear the air, they mentioned that HMPV is certainly not some brand-new bug. It’s a bug that’s been giving people snotty noses and buggy tubes for quite some time now, even in Kenya. “No spike in the number of…

In a striking move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental advocate known for spreading dubious claims about vaccines, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the preeminent health agency in the United States. Kennedy, who once pursued the presidency as an independent candidate earlier this year, withdrew from the race in August. He subsequently threw his support behind Trump, looking to secure a position within the Republican administration as part of the…

MSF counselors gather women at a nutrition center inside Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa. © Alberto Macin/MSF Meet Alberto Macin, the spirited maestro of mental health initiatives with MSF for the better part of a decade. His globe-trotting missions span Mexico, El Salvador, and South Sudan, right through to Ukraine, the perilous routes from Libya to the Mediterranean, not to forget Mozambique, Kenya, and his latest haunt, Somalia. Macin’s gig? Crafting mental health blueprints, embedding vital services into MSF’s action…

 Aspiring Alexandria School Board member, Abdullahi Abdalla, campaigns under the vast city skyline hoping to secure his inaugural term. Abdalla champions his cause with a fervent focus on championing educators, safeguarding students, and fostering robust community ties. CREDIT/ SUPPLIED Mogadishu (AX) — Abdullahi Abdalla, a key player on the School Board Budget Advisory Committee, is vying for a seat on the Alexandria School Board. His campaign swings heavily towards empowering teachers, invigorating community…

Mogadishu (AX) — For many years, Somalia has been caught in a storm of turmoil, poverty, and uprooting that's left the nation's mental health in shambles. This dire situation has largely been ignored, as highlighted by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). "Women and kids are really taking the hardest hit," they noted in a recent report, pointing to the intensifying mental stress blanketing these already strained communities. From the start of 2024 to September, MSF's dedicated mental health squads have…

In the vibrant neighborhoods of Epworth and Mbare in Harare, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has embarked on a crucial mission: empowering the youth to confront mental health issues through a unique peer-led initiative. Equipped with specialized training, educators affiliated with MSF deliver essential psychological first aid. They bridge young individuals with critical mental health resources, encompassing a range of services such as medical care, HIV testing, STI management, contraceptive options, health education,…