Journal of the Royal Society of Health
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The beginning of the 1980s saw the birth of Zimbabwe as a result of a protracted liberation war. It coincided with global interest in primary health care, the concept of universal primary school education and, unfortunately, moves towards economic stabilization and structural adjustment programmes. Economic structural adjustment was adopted by several sub Saharan African countries with dire consequences for the poor and vulnerable. ⋯ Hitherto Zimbabwe's economy has been sufficiently strong to avoid excessive dependence on the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other foreign financial institutions. Unfortunately, however, the current economic recession together with economic structural adjustment programmes are beginning to have a negative impact on health and education. Will true synergism between health and education weather these structural problems? It seems that the people and government of Zimbabwe have the capacity and resolve to weather such a storm.
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Road traffic injuries are the second major cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A retrospective study for a 1 year period of all road traffic accidents and injuries was conducted in Jimi Hospital for the period 1 January to 31 December, 1990. A total of 1197 injuries were encountered at the Hospital Emergency Department. ⋯ Most of the accidents and injuries occurred from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Head injury was the most frequently noted type of injury (40.5%), followed by limbs injury (22.1%) and chest, abdomen and pelvic injuries (14.7%). These findings suggest that there is a need to take a comprehensive approach on both excessive speed and driving habits.