Global Health

Mistrust, Anger Holds Guinea Back From Fighting Ebola

9:59am January 25, 2015

Local resistance is hampering the nation's efforts to eradicate the virus by mid-March. Correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton tells NPR's Rachel Martin how health workers are dealing with it.

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An employee of the drug company Apotex, examines some Ciprofloxacin at the plant in Canada. Cipro is commonly given to travelers for diarrhea. More than 20 million Cipro doses are prescribed each year in the U.S.

Taking Antibiotics During Travel Fosters Drug-Resistant Germs

8:54pm January 24, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Many of us take antibiotics when we get tummy troubles in developing countries. Scientists say this opens the door for a dangerous visitor in the GI tract. These microbes can stick around for months.

Cellphones are everywhere in the developing world, as this Nairobi street scene shows. Bill and Melinda Gates believe the phones can be used for everything from farmer education to instant banking.

Dear World: Bill And Melinda Gates Have 'Big Bets' For 2030

1:19pm January 23, 2015

by Linda Poon

Their annual letter to the public has been published. They're betting that in 15 years, polio will be eradicated, Africa will feed itself and 2 billion people will use their phones as mobile banks.

Luke Whitworth, a Baptist missionary, came to Guinea to teach English and to preach. He's added Ebola education to his list of duties.

American Millennial Missionary In Guinea Isn't Scared Off By Ebola

12:14pm January 23, 2015

by Kevin Leahy

Luke Whitworth, 23, came to Guinea from South Carolina 13 months ago. That's when the outbreak there began. His sponsoring group gave him the option to leave — but he's determined to stay.

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In November, women in El Salvador marched for the freedom of 17 women accused of abortion, including Carmen Guadalupe Vasquez Aldana. She was pardoned this week.

30-Year Sentence Lifted For Woman In El Salvador Abortion Case

5:40pm January 22, 2015

by Jason Beaubien

Carmen Guadalupe Vasquez Aldana had steadfastly denied having an abortion. She said her unborn baby had died due to medical complications. This week, Congress pardoned her after seven years in jail.

A gold-mining barge docks along the Madre de Dios river.

Going For The Gold Sends Mercury Down The River

3:23pm January 22, 2015

by Jason Beaubien

Illegal mining in the headwaters of the Amazon is endangering people and fish hundreds of miles downstream.

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Indian sand artist Sudersan Pattnaik touches up his sculpture for World No Tobacco Day at Golden Sea Beach in Puri, India.

What's Most Likely To Kill You? Hint: Probably Not An Epidemic

9:35pm January 21, 2015

by Jason Beaubien

Noncommunicable diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease are now the biggest killers on Earth. They account for 68 percent of deaths — and have an even greater impact in the developing world.

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Six-year old Hadja Sow (left) and a classmate on their first day back at school after a prolonged break because of Ebola.

School's Back On In Guinea: Reading, Writing, Temperature-Taking

8:38am January 21, 2015

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Ebola brought education to a halt in the country. This week, school doors reopened. Some parents are a little nervous about possible health risks. And some kids are actually glad to be back!

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Cheerleaders with pompoms helped kick off a government campaign to eliminate Ebola from Guinea in 60 days.

Countdown To Zero: Guinea's Campaign To Conquer Ebola In 60 Days

2:34pm January 20, 2015

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

With cheerleaders and pompoms, the government is urging people to knock out Ebola by mid-March.

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Guinea's Health Minister Says Ebola Situation 'Improving'

5:22pm January 18, 2015

Guinea's health minister says schools will re-open on Monday after being closed because of the Ebola outbreak. Correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton talks to NPR's Arun Rath from the capital, Conakry.

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