Health Guide

  Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death worldwide. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer take millions of lives every year, affecting individuals, families, and health systems. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are not passed from person to person. They develop over time and are shaped by lifestyle, environment, genetics, and, importantly, by access to healthcare. The growing burden of NCDs shows the urgent need for prevention, early detection, public awareness, and stronger health services. NCDs by the Numbers Global deaths: According to WHO (fact sheet updated 25 September 2025), NCDs killed at least 43 million people in 2021, equal to 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths. Cardiovascular diseases caused at least 19 million of these deaths, cancers about 10 million, chronic respiratory diseases about 4 million, and diabetes over 2 million (including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes)....

Bundibugyo Ebola Is Spreading: Why Is It So Difficult to Contain? The outbreak has expanded across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, crossed borders into Kenya, and raised new preparedness concerns for Somalia. A major Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) is continuing to spread in Central and East Africa, creating one of the most serious Ebola emergencies seen in recent years. The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in May 2026 and has continued to expand despite intensive response efforts. By October 16, 2026, the DRC had reported 9,415 confirmed cases and 4,536 deaths , according to the country's National Institute for Biomedical Research. The outbreak has now reached an eighth province, North Ubangi, which borders the Central African Republic. The epidemic has also crossed international borders. After Uganda experienced cases earlier in the year, Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case in October. By Oct...

  Mental Health Is Health: Breaking the Stigma in Somalia Mental health is health. But for millions of people, stigma can become a barrier to receiving it. Mental health conditions are among the most important public health challenges of the 21st century. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1 billion people worldwide were living with a mental health condition, while most people affected still did not receive adequate care. Behind these numbers are people living with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance-use disorders and other conditions. Yet the problem is not only a shortage of services. For many people, stigma itself becomes a barrier to care. Fear of being judged, rejected, discriminated against, labeled as "crazy," considered weak, or excluded from family and community life can prevent people from talking about their symptoms or seeking professional support. This is why mental...

 Food Security and Malnutrition in 2026: The Global, Africa and Somali Crisis By Dr. Khalid Sheikh Ali Dirie September 2026 From global hunger to Somalia's nutrition emergency: the latest evidence shows why food security must be treated as a public health priority. Introduction Food security and malnutrition remain among the world's most important public health challenges. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) provides a mixed picture. Global hunger declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, but the improvement remains uneven and insufficient to put the world firmly on track for the 2030 Zero Hunger goal. An estimated 645 million people experienced hunger in 2025, equivalent to 7.8% of the world's population. At the same time, approximately 2.1 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The situation is particularly concerning in Africa. About 309 million people in Africa experienced hunger in 2025, while 66....

  Climate Change Is a Health Crisis: How a Changing Climate Is Affecting Our Health When we hear “climate change,” many of us immediately think about melting glaciers, rising sea levels, or extreme weather. But climate change is affecting something much closer to home: our health. A hotter and less predictable climate means more people are exposed to extreme heat, changing patterns of infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, air pollution, and growing pressure on healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. WHO also estimates that climate change could cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050 from a limited group of causes, including heat exposure, malaria, diarrhoeal disease, and childhood undernutrition. And this is not just a problem for the future. It is happening now. ☀️ A Hotter Planet Means Greater Health Risks Think about the last...

Malaria remains one of Africa's most persistent public health challenges — but it is also one of the clearest stories of what sustained, coordinated action can achieve. Understanding both the wins and the new threats is essential for anyone working in health, or simply anyone who wants to see the disease finally brought under control. The Scale of the Problem Africa continues to carry the overwhelming share of the world's malaria burden. The WHO African Region accounts for an estimated 94–95% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide, with children under 5 making up about 75% of all deaths in the region. Globally, an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths occurred in 2024 — roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year. The burden is also highly concentrated. Two-thirds of global cases and deaths are found in just 11 African "High Burden High Impact" countries, and four countries — Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, ...

  It starts like the flu — fever, headache, muscle aches. But within days, it can become a life-threatening emergency. Hantavirus is back in the spotlight, and here's what you should know. Key facts Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. Infection with hantaviruses can cause a range of illnesses, including severe disease and death. In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a case fatality rate up to 50%. Andes  virus, found in South America, is a currently known hantavirus for which limited human‑to‑human transmission among contacts has been documented. In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). What exactly is hantavirus? Hantavirus isn't new — it's a family of viruses carried by rodents worldwide....

Measles in Neonates: A Hidden Indicator of Immunization Gaps.  Measles is often seen as a childhood disease—but what happens when it affects those who haven’t even had the chance to be protected? Neonates are among the most vulnerable. Too young for routine vaccination, they rely entirely on maternal antibodies and the strength of community immunity. When a newborn contracts measles, it is rarely just an isolated clinical event—it is a warning sign. A signal that something, somewhere in the immunization chain, has failed. In many low-resource and rural settings, I’ve witnessed firsthand how gaps in maternal immunization, limited antenatal care access, and missed vaccination opportunities create silent pathways for infection. These are not just system failures—they are missed chances to protect life at its very beginning. Neonatal measles often presents severely, with higher risks of complications, hospitalization, and even death. Yet, it remains under-discussed ...

🩺 Tonsillitis vs Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths) 🔴 What is Tonsillitis? Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by infection (viral or bacterial). 📌 How it starts Infection enters through the mouth or nose Tonsils (immune tissue) try to fight it This leads to swelling, redness, and pain ⚠️ Causes Viruses (most common) – cold, flu, adenovirus Bacteria – especially Streptococcus (strep throat) Spread through: Coughing/sneezing, Close contact, Sharing utensils 🧾 Symptoms Severe sore throat, Painful swallowing Fever, Red, swollen tonsils, White patches or pus Swollen neck lymph nodes, Bad breath (sometimes) Headache, fatigue 💊 Management Supportive care (most cases): Rest, Warm fluids Paracetamol / ibuprofen Saltwater gargles If bacterial (strep): Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin) Severe/recurrent cases: ENT referral, Possible tonsillectomy ⚪ What are Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)? Tonsil stones are small, hard deposits that form in t...

🔔 Health Alert: Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (Marburg) in Southern Ethiopia Health authorities and the WHO have confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. Teams are already on the ground supporting treatment, contact tracing, and prevention. 🩺 What to Know Marburg virus is a highly infectious pathogen that causes Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) — a severe form of viral haemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola. It belongs to the filovirus family. 🧬 How It Spreads: Spread happens through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. ■ Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects ■ Prolonged exposure to caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus fruit bats (natural reservoir) ■ Funeral practices involving direct body contact "It does not spread through the air like the flu". 🩺 Symptoms (Usually Start 2–21 Days After Exposure) Early symptoms:  ■ Sudden high fever,  ■ severe headache,  ■ muscle aches. Progressive symptoms: ■ Vomiting ■ Diarrhea...

“Diabetes is serious, but with early care, you can live a long and healthy life.” Diabetes mellitus , sometimes known as diabetes, is a long-term health condition in which the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar (glucose). This happens as a result of the body either does not produce enough insulin or ineffectively uses insulin.   Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global health challenges , affecting millions every year. Many people live with diabetes without knowing it until complications become serious.  But the good news is early detection and simple lifestyle choices can prevent most cases of Type 2 diabetes. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose enter the cells to provide energy. When insulin doesn’t work well, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar. How is Diabetes and Well-being connected? The first thing that needs to be understood is that diabetes is not simply about managing sugar levels in the blood or taking medicine without...