Friday, January 31, 2014

UN Representative Says Paramount Chiefs Are Importance In Development

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Executive Representative and head of United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, said during the National Council of Paramount Chiefs - Sierra Leone (NCPC-SL) National Meeting of Chiefs on the Constitutional Review Process held in Kenema, Southern District, that the UN recognises their role. “The UN recognizes the important role you played as leaders during the war, and especially for your work in helping to lay the foundations for the peace Sierra Leone enjoys today. The President has encouraged participation in this national Constitutional Review process, and emphasized the importance of inclusiveness at every step, and at all levels. The Constitution is owned by and applies to all citizens of Sierra Leone, equally. This needs to be understood by everyone to whom the constitution applies,” he said. Toyberg-Frandzen said their influence as Paramount Chiefs, for the promotion of social justice, especially in peace and conflict prevention is unquestioned. “The constitutional review process offers a perfect opportunity to consolidate and safeguard Sierra Leone’s hard-won gains over the years. Therefore, the Constitutional Review process itself, if managed well, will strengthen the culture of democracy, and help to develop a tradition of the rule of law and meaningful participation in decision-making,” he reiterated. He said the Constitutional Review Process is a unique opportunity for voices to be heard, adding that stakeholders are being engaged and mobilized to take part, but implored them that it is also recognized that, for the participation of groups of stakeholders to be effective, it needs to be well-informed and coordinated. Over 100 Paramount Chiefs gathered to discuss the importance of reviewing the constitution as well as their own role in ensuring an in
clusive, non-politicized and peaceful process from 28 to 30 January 2014 in Kenema.

Howard University Provide Support For Fourah Bay College

The Chemistry Department of Howard University in the United States of America has donated twenty five laptops, five desktops, five weighing machines with a vacuum pump to the Chemistry Department of Fourah Bay College. The Head of the Chemistry Department at Fourah Bay College, Pascal Egbenda, said the donation was as a result of a MOU with Howard University, which he noted, is yet to be signed because of a change of leadership at Howard. The acquaintance, he said, was initiated by Dr Patrick Lukulay, alumni of Fourah Bay College and Vice president of the Global Health Impact Program at United States pharmacopeia. “Our correspondence with Howard has paved ways for large consignment of research equipments from various sources in the US,” he said, adding that the department of Chemistry has better staff to guide students with two principal laboratory technicians to be trained to become chief technicians. He said they are also pleased to report that the Chemistry Department is a beneficiary of the Padia Project through which they were provided with laboratory equipment. “However, with the large number of intake at the Chemistry Department we need more equipment for laboratory classes,” he noted. Egbenda said the department is presently engaged in developing new and attractive diploma and certificate courses such as analytical, petroleum and other industrial chemistry courses as a result of the change in market structure as well as working in line with the aspirations and the performance contract of the University of sierra Leone. Presenting the items on behalf of Professor Joe fortunack of Howard University, Dr Patrick Lukulay said the equipment will be used to conduct better practicals at the chemistry laboratory. “I was fortunate to link Professor Joe fortunack at Howard University with Dr Pascal Egbenda and I will continue to look for more opportunities that will enable universities from the US to support universities in Sierra Leone,” he said. He encouraged students at the Chemistry Department to be mindful of that fact that there are better opportunities for the department and chemistry students. By Eastina Taylor

California regulator seeks to shut down ‘learn to code’ bootcamps

A handful of California coding bootcamps are fighting for survival after receiving a stern warning from regulators. Unless they comply, these organizations face imminent closure and a hefty $50,000 fine. A BPPE spokesperson said these organizations have two weeks to start coming into compliance. In mid-January, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) sent cease and desist letters to Hackbright Academy, Hack Reactor, App Academy, Zipfian Academy, and others. General Assembly confirmed that it began working on this issue several months ago in order to achieve compliance with BPPE. Culled from: http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/29/california-regulator-seeks-to-shut-down-learn-to-code-bootcamps/

Thursday, January 30, 2014

World Futball Project Launched In Sierra Leone

22,080 footballs donate to Sierra Leone by ‘One World Futball Project’ were on 30th January 2014, launched by the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Samuel Sam Sumana, at the National stadium in Freetown. While delivering the keynote address and launching of One World Futball, the Vice President said Sierra Leone has triumphed and that it is high time Sierra Leoneans work together in the interest of the country. The Vice President thanked Chevrolet for sponsoring the project and also made special recognition for the inventor of the footballs, Tim Jahnlgen, for their efforts in bringing together young people to making sure football serve as means of communication. He informed the audience that the nation has triumphed through the opportunities been provided and the projects being implemented recognizes the need for gender empowerment, creating opportunities for people with disabilities and young people in society. The Minister of Sports, Paul Mohamed Kamara, said for the first time in the country’s history, the nation has benefitted from a very large consignment of gifts from One World Futbol Project – Chevrolet. He said the unique quality of the ‘One World Futball’ is that it is non-inflatable, difficult to damage and very resistant to wear and tear. “This wonderful benevolent gift to Sierra Leone from One World Futball/ Chevrolet through the Ministry of Sports is a clear manifestation of their regard and appreciation of the giant strides Sierra Leone is making in sports development, especially football under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma,” he said. “This is a symbolic moment for us to launch this football revolution,” he noted, also adding, “Madam Johansen called it ‘the dawn of an era’”. Kamara said the strides in sports cannot be disassociated with the love of sports by the President and the Vice President, stating that the president is the best squash player in the country while the VP was a dynamic football striker. He said the President, in his vision, decided three years ago to set-up the Ministry of Sports and that since then the country’s ranking in sports is positive, also that the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen, is the first female to head a football body in the world; reiterating that she is a member of CAF and Committee Member of FIFA. “With Isha we are seeing the benefit of effective collaboration,” he said, disclosing further that FIFA will be sponsoring the building of a mini stadium for the development of women football as well as building another mini stadium at Wellington for the development of youth football. The Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh, said this is an opportunity for young people in the country, adding that Football is vital in addressing the various differences amongst the people. “We are trying to see how best we could engage our youths through sports to address issues of violence, and drugs,” he said, adding that after going through a turbulent 11 year war, Sierra Leone is faced with young people that are violent and being influenced by drugs, therefore the importance of sports. “Through sports we can engage them to be better people by improving their psychology,” he said. He said in their efforts to achieve this, they will be targeting communities, football clubs and youths. The One World Futball project is to bring the healing power of play to youth living in disadvantaged communities worldwide through the One World Futball. “While we haven’t yet figured out how to create world peace and end world hunger, it’s possible that a child to whom we give a ball will,” said the Founder of One World Futball, Tim Jahnlgen. The One World Futball represents a breakthrough in technology in a product that has seen little innovation in decades- the recreational, multi-sports ball, made of closed cell foam, the nearly indestructible One World Futball; never needs a pump and never goes flat, even when punctured multiple times.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Reveals Improved Health Care

The Survey, conducted by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Statistics Sierra Leone with support from the UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, indicates progress in improving health services in Sierra Leone. The 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey preliminary results was released on Tuesday 28th January 2014. The just concluded Demographic and Health Survey among other things shows that use of modern family planning methods among married women doubled from 7 percent to 16 percent; delivery at health facilities doubled from 25 percent to 56 percent; use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) against malaria for under five children doubled from 26 percent to 49 percent and use of ITNs among pregnant women doubled from 27 percent to 53 percent. The report also states that antenatal care by skilled birth attendants has increased from 87 percent to 97 percent; delivery by a skilled birth provider has risen from 42 percent to 61 percent; the rate of fully immunized children has increased from 40 percent to 68 percent and ORS Use for children with diarrhoea increased from 68 percent to 85 percent “While the DHS preliminary report is yet to release data on Maternal Mortality, we are seeing encouraging trends in the decline in childhood mortality at 156 deaths per 1000 births. We will like to see a more drastic drop in childhood deaths, so there is need to double our efforts and fast-track efforts to achieve this goal. These results will force all partners to continue to work together, to further strengthen our interventions and our methods, so that progress in the health sector in Sierra Leone is sustained,” the report concluded.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Sierra Rutile Ltd Confirms Death of Young Man In Dredge Pone

Sierra Rutile Ltd. has informed the public in a statement made public that the body of a young man was discovered in an obsolete dredge pond near Moriba Town on the morning of 25 January 2014. “It is with great regret that Sierra Rutile Ltd learned that a young man’s body was discovered in an obsolete dredge pond near Moriba Town on the morning of 25 January 2014. Full details are yet to be confirmed and Sierra Rutile is working with the police and coroner to investigate the death,” the report states. According to reports, villagers alleging one of their members was killed by security personnel employed by the company stormed it quarters, attacked security personnel and vandalized property belonging to the company. The Sierra Rutile report also states “A small group of people used the incident to create a disturbance around the mine and in surrounding villages. The mining communities Paramount Chiefs, police and other community leaders have worked with Sierra Rutile’s management and security to calm the situation”.
“The company’s Community Affairs Department will continue to consult with mining communities and other stakeholders to ensure the situation remains calm,” the report further states.

Three Year Old Malnourished Still Suffering

Three year old Isatu Sesay is still suffering from an unexplained illness that kept her malnourished. Her guardian, Isatu Sankoh, said she was admitted in one of the hospitals in Freetown and later discharged but her condition is always worse. "I took her from her mother to help her recuperate but her health is always poor," she lamented, adding that at three years she is still unable to walk like the other kids.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Sierra Leone Cannot Bow Down To Cancer

Cancer, according to leading medical researchers, LIVESTRONG Foundation, UICC, ICCCPO and others, is one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide, and its global burden predicted to rise from 12.7 million new cases in 2008 to 21.4 million in 2030, with more than half of these occurring in less developed regions. But Sierra Leone will not bow down to cancer, and we are confident that the Government, after approving the Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) policy last year in 2013 will prioritize cancer in all health decision. The United Nations General Assembly, In September 2011, declared Non-Communicable Diseases, including cancer, a social and economic challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Sierra Leone, recent figures from the National Cancer Registry are giving credence to the UN’s call for action against cancer; with the Director of the National Cancer Registry (NCR), Dr. Semion Owizz Koroma, informing the nation that cancer is in the increase and that efforts must now be made to control the spates nationwide. But that could be successfully done when the people are well informed and the Registry capacitated to effectively carry out its functions. “Gathering data to fully understand a problem can be a critical step on the path toward a remedy. Yet, in many parts of the world, accurate assessments of the burden of cancer and the distribution of its various types are unavailable or inaccurate,” NCI Director Dr. Harold Varmus and Cancer Research UK Chief Executive Dr. Harpal Kumar wrote in a March 6, 2013, commentary in Science Translational Medicine. As indicated by Dr. Harold Varmus and Dr. Harpal Kumar of the unavailable or inaccurate data, Sierra Leone is one of the many countries falling prey to this problem until now that Dr. Semion Owizz Koroma and his staff, are championing the cause to map-out the various cancer ailments affecting the people bases on tribe and region. Common types of cancer: Bladder Cancer, Breast Cancer, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Childhood Cancers, Adolescents and Young Adults and Women's Cancers, are all affecting Sierra Leoneans and causing social and economic challenges. For most of the elderly who have succumbed to various forms of diseases with their underlying ailments never disclosed but yet their complaints often been ‘poor digestion and constipation’ resulting to stomach problems, which unfortunately are often offhandedly linked to old age, are later found to be causes of Colon Cancer. But then our medical practitioners could not be held responsible because they lack the needed medical implements to aid them carryout their work well. This is what is faced by our new baby; the National Cancer registry (NCR), as the entities presently needs an Electronic Microscope and Microtone to be able to get accurate and reliable data. Last year, Well Woman Clinic Director, Dr. Lynette Palmer, informed Members of Parliament that cancer is a preventable disease, while noting that cancer can affect any part of the body and women suffering more from the ailment than men. She said lack of adequate diagnostic screening machines, high cost of screening and diagnostics tools, high level of illiteracy and low awareness are some of the challenges that they are facing in the fight against breast cancer in Sierra Leone. Hon. Pateh Bah of Constituency 91 said it is sad the country doesn’t have most of the equipment to treat the disease, but said efforts should be made to procure the equipment. And the founder of Thinking Pink Foundation, Mrs. Cremela Parkinson-Pratt, has emphasized that February 4th is a very important day all around the world; while Mr. Reynolds G.B Senesie, a cancer pathologist in Sierra Leone, said February 4th is to raise awareness about the dangers and effects of cancer. Considering the challenges and level of illiteracy in the country, the Ministry of Health, international cancer stakeholders and cancer stakeholders in Sierra Leone will not sit by and allow Sierra Leone to fall to cancer. Sierra Leone cannot bow down to cancer and thus the theme for this year “Debunking the Cancer Myths”. We want to see a Sierra Leone where children can get access to cancer screening, affordable and accessible medical attention and our people made no more to be frightened from tumors such as ‘Mopia’ as being called in the North of the country. It will be an irony when childhood cancer continues to be a menace with mothers hoping their Under-5s will get medical care, because the drugs are not available. We can however help change the course by working together and ensure every Sierra Leonean is made to know the dangers of cancer and its causative factors. In so doing, we would be able to save many lives that would have been exposed to cancer ailments; thus the reason for targeting the grassroots in this year’s campaign on the theme ‘Debunking the Cancer Myths’. Sierra Leone is no island by itself and should therefore be part of the campaign against cancer in the world and strive to standout among others to champion the fight. We can do that and be recognised worldwide by putting into effect remedial measures, through policies, to mitigate all forms of activities that are prone to cause or exposing our people to cancer. Such efforts, like raising tax on tobacco importation in the country and all other forms of activities that are deemed to be cancer related, can be used to finance cancer research processes in the country and procurement of medicines and standard medical equipment, to save millions of Sierra Leoneans from dying early in their lives. Dr. Semion Owizz Koroma and his team are trying but that will not solve the problem until the Government intervene to making cancer a priority in Sierra Leone and by doing so, this Nation will not bow down to cancer.
By Alpha Bedoh Kamara Leader

Monday, January 20, 2014

Temnes rank highest in cancer report

2013 report collated at the National Cancer Registry on cancer in Sierra Leone indicates an increase in cancer cases among the Temne ethnic group in Sierra Leone than the other tribes. The National Cancer Registry was established in 2011 with the purpose of getting a database of the various cancer ailments in the country with Sierra Leone’s Pathologist, Dr. Semion Owizz Koroma, serving as Director of the Registry. “We cannot address the challenges of cancer in Sierra Leone without a cancer registry, and now that we have one, we are appealing for support for us to be able to know the different cases of cancer that are affecting the people and their demographic implication,” he said. According to the 2013 statistical data of the National Cancer Registry about people reported with cancer and other benign or malignant tumors: 50 percent are Temne, 30 percent Mende, 30 percent Creoles while Koronko, Susu and Mandingo are slated at five percent each. Unfortunately, there are no available data for the other tribes, but the Registrar of the National Cancer Registry, Michael Mansaray, said they will be extending their activities by collating data from various hospitals in the country. Dr. Owizz Koroma last year said cervical cancer is on the increase in the country as well as breast cancer. “Cancer is real in Sierra Leone. We must all come onboard to address the challenges that are the causes of cancer,” he said. Choitrams Hospital, Lumley Health Centre (Government), Rokupa Hospital, Kingharman Road Government Hospital, Macauley Street Government Hospital, Ola During Government Hospital (Government), Abarnita Hospital (Private), Sierra Leone Ports Authority Hospital (NGO) and Davidson Nicol Hospital (private) will be utilized by the National Cancer Registry for more information of cases of cancer in the country. The most common cases were breast cancer, tumor, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, Burkett lymphoma, prostate cancer, cancer of the cervix, mycosis and thyroid nodules. The report also indicated a high rate of female cases with only one percent of that of male. “We can do more if we have a digital microscope and microtone,” Mansaray said, adding that when the registry is capacitated they will be able to expand their services on a wider scale to capture the demographic prevalence of cancer and the causative factors are known the better it will be for doctors to be able to proffer cure. When contacted on the issues, Dr. Moses OM Sesay said the country needs support to be able to control cancer in the country. “Many people, especially in rural areas, are not reporting for medical checkups in hospitals,” he said, adding that many died without knowledge by their families of the cause of death. Dr. Sesay said there is so much that is needed by the registry and that efforts should be made by all stakeholders to make the registry more functional. The report, however, does not represent the whole population of the country, but patients that reported and were diagnosed at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

No solution to Kargbo's hand despite years of suffering. wound in the hand discharges pus, and has been with her for years.