Health in Africa

African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) is a non-governmental organisation working in Africa to relieve poverty through health development. ...more on Wikipedia about "African Medical and Research Foundation"

The HIV/ AIDS epidemics spreading through the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are highly varied. Although it is not correct to speak of a single African epidemic, Africa is without doubt the region most affected by the virus. Inhabited by just 10% of the world's population, Africa is estimated to have more than 60% of the AIDS-infected population. ...more on Wikipedia about "AIDS in Africa"

Eflornithine (α-difluoromethylornithine or DFMO) is a drug manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis which has various uses. It was initially developed as a cancer medication; and while it has no significant effects on cancerous malignancies, it was found to be very effective in combatting African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), in particular the West African form of the disease. It is hoped that eflornithine will replace the relatively toxic melarsoprol. Supplies of Eflornithine are limited as it is not very cost effective to manufacture. Aventis stopped making eflornithine in 1995 because of this very reason. The drug company gave the rights to manufacture the drug to the World Health Organization, who attempted to find a new supplier. Eflornithine is also an effective hair removal agent and is the active ingredient in Vaniqa brand hair removal cream. ...more on Wikipedia about "Eflornithine"

Lists of hospitals for each country in Africa. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of hospitals in Africa"

Melarsoprol (2-[4-{(4,6-Diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino}phenyl]-1,3,2-dithiarsolan-e-4-methanol) is a medicinal drug used in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. It is also sold under the trade names "Mel B" and "Melarsen Oxide-BAL". Melarsoprol is a highly dangerous treatment, only administered by injection under the supervision of a physician. It causes a range of side effects, among them convulsions, fever, loss of consciousness, rashes, bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting. It is fatal in and of itself in a significant percentage of cases. Eflornithine is a more modern and far less dangerous treatment for sleeping sickness, but is expensive, not widely available on the market, and most of its supply comes from donations from its manufacturer. Melarsoprol is often refered to as " arsenic in antifreeze" due to its composition and its unpleasant effects on patients. ...more on Wikipedia about "Melarsoprol"

Sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease in humans. Caused by protozoa of genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, the disease is endemic in certain regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, covering about 36 countries and 60 million people. It is estimated that 300,000 - 500,000 people are infected, and about 40,000 die every year. Three major epidemics have occurred in the past hundred years, in 1896 - 1906, 1920, and 1970. ...more on Wikipedia about "Sleeping sickness"

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