Full Coverage: Disease

29.03.2008 Thousands of children in Pakistan succumb to measles every year. All these deaths can be easily prevented with effective immunisation. The government has launched a comprehensive campaign against the disease, which will help protect 63 million children in the country.

28.03.2008 Battle in India against polio is far from over. This year until February, 82 new cases have been detected despite the fact that the country has the largest ever mass immunisation campaign in the world going on since 2003.

25.03.2008 The latest WHO report: The Global Tuberculosis Control 2008 documents a slowdown in progress on diagnosing people with TB, citing lack of funds as the major reason. The report also stresses on combating new forms of the disease like multi-drug resistant TB and the lethal combination of TB/HIV.

24.03.2008 Kabul’s deteriorating environment is posing serious health risks to its population, according to Afghanistan ’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). The use of sub-standard car fuel and poor waste management has worsened the city’s air quality leading to an increase in respiratory disorders.

14.03.2008 HARARE, Mar 14 (OneWorld) - Members of once esteemed professions in Zimbabwe -- teachers, nurses, and doctors -- have gone on strike over the paltry purchasing power of their wages.

13.03.2008 WASHINGTON, Mar 13 (OneWorld) - Activists working to improve lives and livelihoods around the world gathered in the United States capital Wednesday to launch a new initiative to bring water and sanitation facilities to schools that currently lack them.

12.03.2008 Pfizer, a pharmaceutical major, has launched an anti-smoking drug sold as Champix in India. Despite the claim that it has proven therapeutic value, there are concerns about its side effects such as mood swings and in some cases inducing people to take the extreme step of suicide.

11.03.2008

07.03.2008 With money and technical assistance from the international community, Bangladesh government has achieved considerable success in installing sanitary latrines throughout the country, leading to significant reduction in diarrhoeal deaths. From the current 85% coverage, it appears that achieving sanitation for all by 2010 is very much possible.

03.03.2008 UN Food and Agriculture Organisation is all praise for authorities in India for taking swift and comprehensive steps to curb bird flu in the state of West Bengal. Measures included prompt compensation to farmers, culling of infected chickens and effective collaborations among concerned departments.