Primary Health Care – Overcoming Inequities

Yesterday, the World Health Organization issued its annual World Health Report which, on the 30th anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration, once again renews its vows to the critical issue of primary health care. Indeed, after decades of sailing adrift and billions spent on seemingly promising vertical programs, the foundations of health systems have slowly but surely dismantled or witnessed varying degrees of neglect.

Please read this very important document as it highlights a topic crucial to the wellbeing of our nation and region at a time when we are being devastated by chronic diseases.

BIOpsy: Educational opportunities @ Cyprus International Institute

The Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health, in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, is announcing the following educational programs and scholarships:

“We have a world class 1 year Masters Program in Environmental Health which is taught by faculty from Harvard and other prestigious scholars from around the globe. We are offering a number of scholarships for this program and are hoping you can help us by spreading the word to any interested students. The deadline to apply for Academic Year 08-09 is March 1st. There is no application fee and tuition for the year is 7500 Euros.

We also are offering the following two upcoming Continuing Professional Education Courses (you can locate the flyers of the events on our website under the Calendar section):

Treating Nicotine Addiction: What you can do to help your patients quit smoking. This 2 day training course will be taught by Drs. Greg Connolly, Dr Robert West, Dr Taru Kinnunen, and Dr Georges Saade. April 7 – 8, 2008 in Nicosia Cyprus. The course is modestly priced at 300 Euros and a number of scholarships will be offered. The registration deadline is March 20, 2008 and seats are limited.

Tunnel vision

In 2001, a Pakistani woman was publicly gang-raped and later forced to walk the streets of her village unclothed, exposed to the rest of the villagers.  This atrocity was perpetrated by individuals who claim to be faithful Muslims and who begin their sermons with the mention of God and the prophet Mohammad, PBUH.  The first question that jumped to mind was how a group of people could approve of such a horrendous crime.  You would assume that your social network would guide you back in track when deviating from a righteous path.  However, the reality is that it is easier to commit an immoral act collectively where the responsibility is diluted in the masses and the appearance of diminished individual accountability often prevails.

In Kuwait, expatriates make up almost two thirds of the entire population and constitute most of the nation’s labor force.