Yesterday was World Malaria Day, a day that for me is filled with contradictions. There are many reasons to feel encouraged. Globally the number of malaria deaths is dropping, thanks to progress on several fronts over the past decade: better prevention strategies, including widespread distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets; rapid, easy-to-use diagnostics; and more effective […]
Tag: malaria
Ike Anya: Tackling imported malaria in the UK
It is a typical busy, Thursday afternoon in the office in central London, as I recall the mental note I made to myself earlier that day: ring GP practice to arrange anti-malarial prescription. I am going to Nigeria on Monday and have resolved to make sure that I take my malaria prophylaxis rigorously this time. […]
Richard Smith: Will the NHS let me die of malaria?
I’m about to spend two weeks in Nigeria and need antimalarial tablets, but it seems that the NHS cannot help me. If I come back with malaria, no doubt it will help me – with two weeks in intensive care and a post mortem if necessary. It’s Monday morning, and I’m going on Saturday. I […]
Siddhartha Yadav: Diagnosing and treating the “Nepalese” microbes
A large portion of my work as a doctor in Nepal is to treat infections. Even in chronic conditions – COPD, diabetes, malignancy – I find that infectious micro-organisms take the toll more rapidly than the disease itself. It is fascinating how these minute beings have the power to bring human life to a standstill. Fever […]
Research highlights – 8 March 2011
“Research highlights” is a weekly round-up of research papers appearing in the print BMJ. We start off with this week’s research questions, before providing more detail on some individual research papers and accompanying articles. What is the efficacy and safety of bronchodilators and steroids in acute management of bronchiolitis? How effectively does co-trimoxazole prophylaxis protect […]
Lord John Rea on tackling malaria in Uganda
My first visit to Uganda was in 1965 – the Halcyon days after independence when King Freddie the Kabaka of Buganda still ruled. I flew from Nigeria, where I was working as a doctor, to attend a seminar on child nutrition at Makerere University. Afterwards, I spent three weeks with my wife and three young […]