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A caesarean can be life-saving for both mother and baby. But when it’s performed for no good medical reason it can endanger the health of both. For the baby, the complications could include effects on brain development, organ immaturity and a compromised immune system. Priya Soma-Pillay and Andre van Niekerk, specialists in obstetrics and paediatrics, argue that too many caesarian sections are being performed unnecessarily in South Africa.
In the dynamic world of global trade, a milestone approaches: Agoa - a preferential trade agreement between the US and select sub-Saharan African countries - turns 25 next year. It’s also the year that the deal is set to expire and a bill is currently before the US Senate seeking to extend it by a record 16 years. Bedassa Tadesse, who has studied the impact of Agoa in Africa, unpacks the effects of the agreement.
For many people on the continent, especially those living in rural areas, it takes a lot of time and money to get to a health clinic. As the world commemorates health day today, we’re sharing this piece from our archives which shows how one programme in Sierra Leone delivered vaccines to the farthest reaches of the country.
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Priya Soma-Pillay, University of Pretoria; Andre Van Niekerk, University of Pretoria
Caesarean section births are often thought to be safer. In fact they disrupt the natural bond between mother and baby and can interrupt brain development.
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Bedassa Tadesse, University of Minnesota Duluth
A review of scholarly articles shows Agoa benefits are uneven across sub-Saharan Africa.
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Ishmael Munene, Northern Arizona University
Kenya’s university reforms are silent on government funding, which is the major source of their current financial challenges.
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Michael Braun, University of the Witwatersrand
The 2024 elections may be the tipping point that enables opposition parties to portray themselves as viable contenders in forming a national coalition government.
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Niccolo Francesco Meriggi, University of Oxford
For villagers in remote areas in Sierra Leone it takes a lot of time and money to get to a clinic. So the COVID-19 vaccine came to the people.
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From our international editions
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Eloise Stevens, The Conversation
Science philosopher Sam Baron explains where energy comes from on The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast.
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Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham
Starliner is only the second vehicle to launch astronauts from US soil since the retirement of the shuttle in 2011.
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Ryan Shandler, Georgia Institute of Technology; Daphna Canetti, University of Haifa; Tal Mimran, Zefat Academic College
The consequences of cyber conflict are primarily felt by civilians, who call for retaliation, fueling cycles of violence.
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Richard Thompson, University of Plymouth
Since coining the term microplastics 20 years ago on May 7 2004, Richard Thompson reflects on the progress being made to halt plastic pollution.
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Colin Marshall, University of Washington
People deeply want to believe they are good, reasonable and worthy. A little humility and curiosity can go a long way toward helping someone feel respected during an argument.
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