Category: Health

It is now a week since Gatsata sector officials started the exercise.

The Executive Secretary of Gatsata Sector, Gertrude Urujeni, said that most of dispensaries were closed due to poor hygiene, selling expired drugs, unqualified a unlicensed medical services providers.

“Some had a very poor services and hygienically wanting. Others were not authorized by the Ministry of Health.”

The Gasabo District Vice-mayor in Charge of Social Affairs, Languide Nyirabahire said that the inspection and, where deemed fit, closure, will continue in other sectors of the district.

“This inspection will reach all sectors. Wherever we find a dispensary lacking the necessary requirement, bad hygiene or poor service; we shall immediately close it,” she said.

{{With Emma-Marie Umurerwa
{emma@igihe.rw} }}

Newly created sealants are capable of providing a solution to these problems, but they all have yet to meet the requirements of an effective surgical tool. Now, scientists have developed a new type of sealant that may actually provide the most cohesive solution to closing wounds,

Nasim Annabi of Northeastern University, one of the authors on the study, said, A good surgical sealant needs to have a combination of characteristics: it needs to be elastic, adhesive, non-toxic and biocompatible. He further explained, “Most sealants on the market possess one or two of these characteristics, but not all of them. We set out to engineer a material that could have all of these properties.”

This new kind of super-glue, called MeTro, is designed to be biocompatible, as it’s created with proteins similar to those found in elastin in humans. Changing the concentrations of those proteins allowed the team to create the sealant in a variety of elasticities. Best of all, MeTro is highly efficient, able to set in as little as 6- seconds with the help of a UV light, the researchers say.

The team tested the sealant in rats by applying it to incisions in arteries and punctures in lungs. It was also used to successfully seal wounds in pig lungs, even after repeated inflations and deflations. The next step is for the product to be tested on human wounds. Anthony Weiss of the University of Sydney and co-author on the study, said, “The potential applications are powerful, from treating serious internal wounds at emergency sites such as following car accidents and in war zones, as well as improving hospital surgeries.”

Source: Immortal News

{Can’t choke down another helping of broccoli? You may not need to eat as much as you think: Eating tons of fruits and vegetables may not be any more protective in helping you live longer than eating just a few servings a day, a new study published in The Lancet suggests.}

In the study, researchers quizzed over 135,000 people from 18 different countries on their eating and lifestyle habits, as well as their health history. Then, they followed them up for an average of about 7 years to see how many died.

The findings? Eating fruits and vegetables was linked to a lower risk of death during the course of the study. But the benefit peaked at three to four servings a day: Those that hit that mark were 22 percent less likely to die of any cause than those who ate 1 serving or less a day.

There was no additional life-saving benefit seen to eating any more than that, the study found.

Prior studies—as we reported on in the past—have linked greater fruit and vegetable consumption to a reduced risk of serious disease. For instance, eating about 250 grams of fruits and vegetables a day, or about 2.5 servings, was linked to a 18 percent reduction in stroke and a four percent drop in cancer.

But those who ate 4 times as much, or about 10 servings a day, reduced their risk of stroke by 33 percent and cancer by 13 percent.

So while this study provides evidence that you don’t need to overload on the fruits and vegetables to live longer, it’s not exactly the be-all, end-all of the scientific thinking out there—especially in light of the past studies that did show a more-is-better benefit.
But it does show that you are likely helping your health by not skipping the green stuff completely. So make sure to fit in at least three to four servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Sounds easy, but most Americans are only eating fruit once a day, and vegetables 1.7 times a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A good way to do it? Give some of these 26 recipes that will make you love vegetables a try. And don’t worry if you only have frozen—both fresh and frozen vegetables retain their nutrients, as we reported.

{As our life expectancy continues to increase, one of the biggest fears for our senior citizens is that they may physically live longer than their brain functions. }

This thought is being fueled by numerous press reports about the increase in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Dementia is generally relates to loss of cognitive function. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, but there are many others like senile (aging) dementia and dementias associated with other neurologic diseases.

The good news is that the evolving neuroscience shows that there are things we can do to preserve and even enhance our cognitive ability through the life span.

The concept of neuroplasticity shows that our brains can recover after injuries and strokes as well as, in some cases, improve brain function in the face of chronic neurologic disease.

In my book, “30 Days to a Better Brain,” I outline the mind, body and spirit approach to preserving and enhancing cognitive function as practiced at Canyon Ranch.

As we age, we have learned the value of healthy eating and remaining physically active through the life span. Each of these factors is an essential variable in overall health to include brain health and cognitive vitality.

We also know that if we don’t stay physically active, our muscles will atrophy and as we weaken, we lose our ability to actually participate in life activities and we become more vulnerable to falls and injury.

The brain also needs continuing challenges to stay vital as well and to prevent atrophy from minimal activity. So the brain needs a “brain gym”, that is, new information and challenges that give your brain a workout so that brain nerve cells are challenged and preserved and new brain neural networks are made to capture and store the new information.

No matter your age, even centenarians can benefit from learning new things, from a new language to playing a musical instrument or simply staying socially engaged with active stimulating conversation.

{Dr. Richard Carmona is the 17th Surgeon General of the United States and president of Canyon Ranch Institute. He is the author of “30 days to a Better Brain.” }

{The government of Rwanda through The Ministry of Health has inaugurated Telemedicine at Shyira District Hospital in Nyabihu District, Western Rwanda to facilitate the access of health professionals’ opinion during patient diagnosis and treatment. }

The telemedicine equipment was donated under a partnership between the Rotary clubs from Musanze, Burera and the Global Offsite care Shyira to high level health facilities in Rwanda and internationally to get a second opinion by specialists, supporting diagnosis and capacity building and reduce face to face interventions.

“Telemedicine enables us to help patients to get access to timely treatment through sharing their symptoms hence fastening the diagnosis,” says Theoneste Rubanzabigwi, Director of Shyira District Hospital.

Innocent Turate, Director of Institute of HIV/AIDS, Disease Prevention, and Control (IHDPC) at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) says telemedicine will also benefit the Hospital through capacity building trainings for health professionals at almost zero cost. “One on one trainings are costly but with this new initiative, educative online conferences, trainings will be availed on different health issues without requiring people to travel,” says Dr Turate.

He also added that the initiative will minimize patient transfers since medics will be able to collaborate with different specialists countrywide. Telemedicine will cut down on transfer costs like dispatching ambulances taking patients to different transfer destinations. “We are glad about this initiative. It will help us comfortably access treatment from our home area and cut on the expenditure on food and other necessities we usually incur when our patients are transferred to Kigali, “says Claudine Uwamariya, Shyira resident. The initiative was done under a great partnership with the Rotary clubs from Musanze, Burera and the Global Offsite care represented at the ceremony by the Ambassador, Princess Dr Franses KEMELAGHA.

{Glaucoma refers to a group of disease where the pressure inside the eye is sufficiently elevated to cause optic nerve damage, resulting in visual field defects. However glaucoma can occur with normal intraocular pressure. }

Normal intraocular pressure (IOP) is between 10 and 20 mmHg. Some types of glaucoma can result in an IOP exceeding 70 mmHg, creating corneal edema and immediate loss of vision.

Considering the burden of glaucoma especially in developing countries, where people are not familiar with routine eye consultation; glaucoma patients consult at late stage, with irreversible loss of vision. Rapha Medical Clinic with the help of Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon, Prof Saiba Semanyenzi Eugene, they took the lead in educating people on this condition.

Glaucoma is the second commonest cause of blindness world-wide, and in Rwanda no accurate data is available. The bad thing about this eye disease is that people affected by this condition don’t complaint about any symptom; the complaint will come just at the ending stage of the disease.

The cause of glaucoma is not well understood, however it is thought to be due to raised eye pressure, reduced blood flow at the optic disc and also some genetic factors.

Even though the physiopathology of glaucoma is not well known; many hypothesis are concluding on genetic cause. Secondary glaucoma is due to series of causes: inflammation (uveitis, aphakia (absence of the lens), trauma, cataract, retinal ischemia, bleeding, previous surgery, tumors, medications (e.g. long-term topical corticosteroids), etc.

Glaucoma’s common risk factors include ocular hypertension, age above 40 year olds, race (black Africans are at five times greater risk than whites), positive family history and myopia.

Key: Damage to the optic disc in glaucoma patients! In glaucoma, nerve fibers transmitting visual information from the photoreceptors to the brain are lost, resulting in characteristic changes on the surface of the optic nerve as it leaves the eye (damage to the nerve fibers at the disk); causing irreversible loss of vision. An examination of the eye at the slit-lamp often tells immediately whether or not there is glaucoma by the shape of the optic disc.

Confirmation of this condition is done by measuring the intraocular pressure, performing funduscopy and an automated visual field test. Early Diagnosis and treatment are so important to avoid irreversible blindness.

{{Source : Prof Dr Saiba Semanyenzi Eugene}}

{In today’s world, stress looms every second, claiming many lives every day and contributing to a variety of chronic afflictions. Although there is no survey in Rwanda regarding stress-related death rates, a 2016 survey in the US indicates that 1 out of 20 deaths is caused by stroke.}

Despite stress threats, the world still features healthy, relaxed and beautiful people who got there by living the ‘spa’ life. Spa treatments range from facials, massages, sauna, steam sessions and more that all together help improve quality of life.

IGIHE caught up with Elina Bamulanje, experienced spa services professional and Recreation Supervisor at Kigali Marriott Hotel, to learn about the health benefits of the spa, a service that people are increasingly turning to. Bamulanje holds a degree in spa services has six years of experience and previously worked with Kigali Serena Hotel. She explains the spa’s health benefits in the following major points:

{{1. De-stress}}

From nation to individual, from youngsters to adults, stress is an unavoidable component of physical and mental health issues. Spa treatments and massage therapies can be tools to help people de-stress after their daily busy work schedules.

{{2. Detoxification}}

Spa treatments purge toxins and excess fluids from the body, and by this, the immune system improves, guarding the body against diseases. Spa treatments like mud baths exfoliate and nourish the skin with vitamins and minerals from elements like soil, clay and water, and other natural ingredients.
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3. Stimulate blood circulation }}

Spa treatments like hydrotherapy, heat therapy and massages improve circulation and regulate blood pressure. Good blood circulation and pressure leads to better body flexibility and improved breathing which can further defend against disease.

{{4. Lose weight}}

Some people do not engage in enough physical activity and suffer from imbalanced diets, consuming a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar. As a consequence, they gain weight at a rapid pace. Spa treatments and regular gym sessions help balance weight and purge bad energies. These healthy habits allow the body to become strong enough to participate in physically demanding tasks without getting tired.
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5. Fight body and skin aging}}

People visit the spa with different needs in mind. For instance, one may not need to lose weight, but wishes to tone and strengthen their muscles. As we age, the skin begins to sag and wrinkle, but a person who regularly works out and undergoes spa treatments can combat the aging process. Treatments such as body scrubs help remove dead cells on the skin and facials help prevent the appearance of aging. Products used during treatments nourish and transform the skin’s complexion, making one look and feel young.

Bamulanje says the benefits of the spa abound, but a skilled and well-equipped service provider is also paramount to ensure that a spa goer maximises the benefits.

She says Kigali Marriott, a five-star hotel, offers the best spa services in Kigali because the spa offers a wide range of experiences and is home to a dedicated relaxation room for guests to enjoy before or after treatments.

“Kigali Marriott’s Saray Spa’s team consists of professionals and has equipment that meets international standards. We offer a relaxation room which is unique to the spa services in the country. The room makes one feel different after relaxation,” says Bamulanje.