Editor's note

Nigeria was successful in controlling the Ebola outbreak that ravaged several west African countries between 2014 and 2016. But the country has failed abysmally when it comes to dealing with the more frequent outbreaks of a range of other diseases. One of them is Lassa fever. Oyewale Tomori explains what’s missing and what can be done to plug the gaps.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has declared that rape and sexual violence must be treated as a national emergency. Luisa Schneider explains why this level of political attention is vital in ensuring that speedy policy changes are made. But, she warns, the government needs to collaborate with – and support - groups that have been working with victims.

Ina Skosana

Health + Medicine Editor

Top Stories

Nigeria was quick to respond and control the 2014 Ebola outbreak. EPA

Why Nigeria is battling to control disease outbreaks like Lassa fever

Oyewale Tomori, Nigerian Academy of Science

Nigeria's health systems are overwhelmed and incapable of sustaining high quality disease surveillance, prevention, control and response.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has made fighting rape a priority. EPA-EFE/Ernest Henry

Sierra Leone takes welcome leap on rape: but next steps are crucial

Luisa T. Schneider, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency to combat rape and sexual violence.

Arts + Culture

How young filmmakers are protecting artistic freedom in Kenya

Samson Kaunga Ndanyi, Rhodes College

A Kenyan film director sued her country's film board and won. Local artists should follow suit and fight censorship.

Why ‘money’ gospel followers aren’t simply credulous dupes

Ilana van Wyk, Stellenbosch University

Prosperity gospel in South Africa is in the news for all the wrong reasons. But for its followers, it's not a con, just a different approach to God.

Business + Economy

Cancer drug pricing gets in the way of treatment in developing countries

Vikash Sewram, Stellenbosch University

The global cancer burden especially in developing countries is exacerbated by the high cost of treatment.

South Africa takes important next steps to solving its power crisis

Catrina Godinho, University of Cape Town; Lauren Hermanus, University of Cape Town

Eskom, South Africa's power utility will be unbundled and receive financial support from national treasury. These are the next steps.

From our international editions

Climate change: obsession with plastic pollution distracts attention from bigger environmental challenges

Rick Stafford, Bournemouth University; Peter JS Jones, UCL

Plastic is not as much of a threat to oceans as climate change or over-fishing.

The US adoption system discriminates against darker-skinned children

Ronald Hall, Michigan State University

In the US, black children wait longer to be adopted and cost less to adopt than white children.

En français

Crise des opioïdes : comment l’Agence du médicament compte éviter l’emballement en France

Nicolas Authier, Université Clermont Auvergne

Alors que leur utilisation explose, l’ANSM propose des mesures pour favoriser le bon usage des antidouleurs opioïdes. Objectif : éviter une crise sanitaire comparable à celle qui sévit aux États-Unis.

Fractures territoriales et sociales : portrait d’une France en morceaux

Thomas Vitiello, Sciences Po – USPC; Bruno Cautrès, Sciences Po – USPC

Le Baromètre des Territoires révèle quatre grands portraits de Français qui, par leurs trajectoires sociales et territoriales, coexistent dans notre espace national.

 
 
 
 

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