Amref forms team to review universal health coverage progress in Africa
African countries that announced universal health coverage are set for review of the programmes following formation of an independent commission by the African Medical Research Foundation (Amref). African countries, with the weakest health infrastructure in the world, have committed to universal healthcare by 2030 in line with United Nation’s Sustainable...
From artificial intelligence to alternative intelligence, then augmented intelligence
I have already curated and copied the relevant elements, using portions from Okon’s mind. I possess the value of curiosity in sufficient levels to propel myself forward. The question is, do I possess the bravery as I currently understand that term? Unfortunately, the phenomenon of self-awareness arising in the semi-structured...
Future of work is ‘collaborative configurations of minds’
Prior to uploading to the current platform, human minds had a long history of organic collaboration. As many of us were in a position to observe at the time, such models ranged from the highly structured and hierarchical environments of department heads, middle management and line staff to extemporaneous gatherings...
Ecotourism now big risk to great apes and other animals in the wild
Wildlife veterinarian Stephen Ngulu starts his typical working day watching from a distance as the chimpanzees under his care eat their breakfast. He keeps an eye out for runny noses, coughing or other hints of illness. These days, Ngulu and others at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in...
Coronavirus origin: ‘Without it, we are flying blind’
It is a big ask. Intensified detection of coronavirus in humans might require doing a thorough evaluation of any patient who comes to any hospital or clinic with the kind of symptoms that are usually dismissed. An unexplained fever or the symptoms of a respiratory infection that has no obvious...
Pivot point: Efforts shift from vaccine to tracking origin of coronavirus
With cases soaring in the United States and elsewhere, the Covid-19 pandemic is nowhere near its end – but with three vaccines reporting trial data and two apparently nearing approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, it may be reaching a pivot point. In what feels like a moment...
US recall of troops from Somalia may cut off intelligence flow for Kenya
The decision by outgoing US President Donald Trump to withdraw American troops from Somalia is expected to force Kenya and Ethiopia back to the drawing board as the move by Washington will cut off intelligence flow the two East African countries need badly to keep Islamist militants at bay. The...
Illicit foreign markets driving up theft of eastern Africa tortoises, turtles
For some communities on the Indian Ocean coast of Africa, tortoises and turtles are potent love potions. Their body parts are harvested and sold to men and women looking to tie down their lovers in a long-term bond of marriage. To foreigners from the United States and Europe, turtles and...
Confidence rises upon reports coronavirus vaccines may soon be available
With the news that Moderna has applied for emergency use authorisation for its coronavirus vaccine, and that Pfizer and BioNTech’s shot has been approved in the UK, the US is inching ever closer to having one, if not two, vaccines approved for use. Both are mRNA vaccines, which trigger cells...
Civil liberties union sues US government for snooping on ordinary people
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has sued the US government claiming Homeland Security agents trampled over people’s constitutional rights – by buying phone location data from commercial brokers rather than getting necessary search warrants. “These practices raise serious concerns that federal immigration authorities are evading Fourth Amendment protections for...
