Médecine tropicale : revue du Corps de santé colonial
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The five-year evaluation of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria (GFATM) was carried out by a Consortium of several Universities and institutions, led by a consulting firm based in Washington DC. Evaluation focused on three study areas: (i) organizational efficiency and effectiveness of the Global Fund, (ii) effectiveness of the Global Fund partner environment, (iii) system effects of the Global Fund and impact of increased funding on the level of response to the three diseases. Findings can be summed up as follows: the Global Fund has been successful in mobilizing additional funding and in attracting new players. ⋯ Increased financial resources have allowed rapid expansion of prevention and care services for the three diseases. Spectacular results have been achieved against malaria in Eastern African countries, but little progress has been made in the collective effort to slow down the spread of HIV/AIDS. In preparation for the upcoming Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund and prior to any further decisions to expand the use of innovative financing instruments for development, the author of this article calls the attention of policy-makers on the need to ensure the development of accompanying strategies to increase the effectiveness and impact of these instruments.
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Neurological complications are rare following hepatitis A. Acute myelitis is even more uncommon. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of acute myelitis related to hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a 43-year-old-woman returning from Senegal. ⋯ The patient made a spontaneous clinical recovery in one month. Spinal MRI findings were normal at three months. Hepatitis A should be considered in the diagnostic approach to acute myelitis in returning travelers and patients living in highly endemic countries where prophylactic vaccination is unavailable.
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The purpose of this article is to present the results of a descriptive and retrospective study of the operations of the emergency medical assistance service (SAMU) in Yaounde, Cameroon. ⋯ The SAMU Yaoundé is based on the French model (on-site care). The number of calls has dropped from the first to third year but the number of prank calls has also decreased. Road traffic accidents accounted for most of the on-site interventions. Further work is needed to increase public awareness of the importance of the SAMU and to provide training for SAMU personnel.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the laporascopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer. ⋯ Laparoscopic suture of perforated duodenal ulcer is safe and effective. It avoids the need for laparotomy that is associated with a risk for septic and parietal complications. Since medical treatment is effective for ulcerous disease, there are currently no indications for radical treatment.
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This report presents an overview of the many sociocultural prejudices confronting albinos and their parents in Sub-Saharan Africa at each stage of life (infancy, adolescence, and adulthood). The birth of an albino child to two black parents has always been an enigma for African peoples. French-speaking and English-speaking populations in Central, East and South African countries have invented numerous myths to account for this event. ⋯ For this reason albinos in Tanzania and Burundi are still in 2008 prey to ritual murders and mutilations to obtain various body parts such as arms, legs, and genitals for preparation of amulets. This barbaric and iniquitous practice has been severely condemned by authorities in both countries as well as by the European Parliament. To end these atrocities disseminating accurate medical information explaining the genetic basis of albinism will be necessary to eliminate ignorance and superstition.