Immunization is regarded as one of the most cost-effective ways of preventing diseases. Unlike other methods, immunization has a broader coverage and can protect larger populations from disease-causing organisms. Most often, vaccination and immunization are used interchangeably. According to the CDC, immunization is when a person becomes protected from infection or disease through vaccination. The protection offered by vaccination is termed immunity. Also, vaccination is the process of introducing a vaccine or a weakened strain of an organism to produce immunity against a specific disease. So ..read more

“It’s been many months, and this covid-19 pandemic is getting serious,” Napayin said. “I guess people are still violating the covid-19 protocols,” Kojo added. “Kojo,” Mrs. Stevens called out. Kojo rushed out of the room. Napayin stared at the ceiling as the phone rang. She quickly picked up the phone. It was Yaaba, her best friend. “Thinking of valentine during this time makes my stomach churn; how do I get to meet Fiifi, it has been many months, and we have still not met. He tells me he is doing well, but my heart yearns to see his face,” Napayin said at the other end of the line. Yaaba repl ..read more

BY: Kwame Sherrif Awiagah (BSc, MPhil) The month of September is a particular month set aside for awareness creation for many different types of cancer affecting humanity. The month is observed by many international and national organizations promoting a specific kind of cancer awareness. The month is inundated with awareness campaigns, public lectures, seminars, health screening, and public policy advocacy to support some types of cancers. One of such cancers is Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of men affecting mostly men aged 40years and above, rarely below 40years. I ..read more

By: Cindy Monica Agbeme (MJA, Ghana) A little background story: The author of this book, Ned Vizzini, wrote this novel in 2006 after his 5-day stay at a mental health facility in November 2004. The story although a well-acclaimed fiction, is based on his real-life experiences and struggles through severe clinical depression. The author died on December 19, 2013, from suicide aged 32. The excerpt above was the introduction to a review I wrote of a book I read in 2018. The title is “It’s kind of a funny story” authored by Ned Vizzini and I remember starting the review with the fact that it was ..read more

In a time where critically ill patients rely on ventilators to keep them going, no one should deny anyone the right to be given oxygen during such emergencies, especially newborn babies. In Ghana, there is a status quo that pushes lots of women to aspire to have their children for fear of being stigmatized. Many women are willing to go to the ends of the world to have their children by patronizing fertility clinics, faith healers, and taking herbal concoctions. Why should women go to all these lengths, and for what? To have babies that might lose their lives due to negligence or a lack of oxy ..read more

The trotro driver shouted. “Hey, get out of the road,” honking his horn in an attempt to get traders out of the road. “These trotro drivers,” a bystander said. “Oh, you will run me over,” another said. Kojo felt someone push him and hit him with a rubber bag full of groceries as he quickly walked past a group of people. Mrs. Stevens sent Kojo to the market to get a few items she forgot to buy when she went to the market. The market seemed busy as ever despite the health crisis, with traders busily calling out their goods to draw attention to buyers. The noise was crazy, with speakers at full ..read more

Kuukua buried her face in her pillow, wondering when the outbreak would go away. Efua being in quarantine was not exactly a death sentence, but it was scary knowing that she could catch the infection. “Cover your mouth with a tissue,” Napayin yelled. “Eh..., when did sneezing become a sin, at first you used to say 'bless you' what has changed?” Kojo retorted. Napayin chuckled and continued with her studies. She had been elucubrating to keep her mind off all that was happening. Initially, she was sad, but this period had given her a chance to prepare for her exams without many distractions. Na ..read more

Each day, the numbers kept rising; Kuukua was terrified as Efua resumed work. “Are you sure you will be safe?” Kuukua asked. Efua nodded. “Aw…, don’t be a cry baby,” Efua said as she hugged her sister. “I will call the embassy to find out if there are any plans to help get you home safely,” Efua added. “I hope they come up with one soon, I don’t want my visa to expire here, Kuukua said. Efua had to take extra precautions at work, wearing protective gear all the time. She worked hard each day. Sometimes she got overwhelmed, but it was her duty, and she loved her job. On the other hand, Kuukua ..read more

“Mama, Mama, I am leaving,” Kuukua said on top of her voice as she rushed out of the house. She headed out to the American embassy; this was her third time going there, she was nervous, Kuukua had been refused a visa on two consecutive times; she hoped things would work out this time. “God be with you, don’t forget to say a prayer,” Mrs. Stevens responded. Mrs. Stevens had lost her husband five years ago to diabetes, and she is a hypertensive patient herself. She has three daughters and a son. Efua, her eldest daughter, is a nurse in the U.S, then Kuukua, Napayin, and Kojo, the only boy in th ..read more

It would be unfair to our next generation if we do not try our very best to limit the corona-virus pandemic from causing further harm. This health crisis started just like a spark of fire ravaging acres of cultivated lands. It’s been many weeks of battle led by various front liners helping in various capacities to bring an end to what seems like a never-ending charade. In the 1918’s there was a pandemic known as the Spanish Flu that killed millions of people; this virus also caused a trend of wearing nose masks as a precautionary measure. Corona-virus, just like the Spanish Flu, had caused a ..read more