Tea Bag Water Purifier
A nano 'tea bag' can purify up to a liter of dirty water, and this lightweight, biodegradable technology could help tackle water sanitation in areas without clean water systems.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 8 - 9http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=8
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008120964.html
http://thehopeproject.co.za/hope/Pages/default.aspx
FINWEEK, 05 August 2010
PeePoo Bag safely composts human feces
The PeePoo bag safely decomposes human waste and produces valuable fertilizer.
The South Africa Node writes,
A toilet turns poo into fertilizer
Communities in Malawi are building composting toilets that, combined with fire ash, turn manure into usable fertilizer. Diarrhea is the leading killer in Malawi, and sanitation solutions of this sort are deeply impactful for public health and for community resources.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 8http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=8
http://humanrights.change.org/blog/view/meet_malawis_skyloos
Building the infrastructure for an African Internet
Two new developments could lay the foundation for Africa coming more fully online and consuming, producing, and engaging with the global internet.
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 7 - 8http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=7
http://www.eassy.org/
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-08-05-eassy-cable-open-for-business
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008090862.html
Self-administered flu vaccine delivered via mail
An innovative new delivery method for flu vaccines could help spread preventative medicine while relieving stress on the existing health system.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 8http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=8
www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Innovation&set_id=1&click_id=116&art_id=nw20100718222307728C396532
Skills shortage in reproductive health in Africa
A shortage of skilled reproductive health specialists in Africa is leading to serious geographic health gaps and desperate (and potentially unsafe) health practices.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 8http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=8
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2010/08/13/6615
Cash incentive programs show promise of reducing HIV infection rates
Two cash-transfer programs are aimed at reducing the spread of HIV, and early indicators suggest more programs in the future.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 7http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=7
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/0,,contentMDK:22649337~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469372,00.html
Mail and Guardian, July 30 to August 5 2010
Social marketing sex education in Zimbabwe (through hair salons)
New health marketing techniques directly tailored to the social environments of their beneficiaries helps spread sex education in Zimbabwe.
The South Africa Node writes,
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 7http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=7
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/0,,contentMDK:22649337~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469372,00.html
Mail and Guardian, July 30 to August 5 2010
Cycles of poor health challenge South African children
Children in South Africa still face significant health risks, and to avoid a public health trap, experts stress the importance of the public health system.
The South Africa Node writes,
South African Universities consider raising admission standards to maintain global competitiveness
The South Africa Node writes,
Several universities in South Africa have raised their 2011 admission requirements for fear that continuing high failure rates among students will erode their global competitiveness. According to a snap survey of 12 universities conducted by The Sunday Times, 8 are considering tighter admission requirements next year, believing that poor student pass rates are partly attributable to lax selection criteria.
Implications
The South Africa Node highlights the vicious cycle that tighter standards might create:
Sources:
South Africa Node Aug 2010, pg. 6http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Aug2010.pdf#page=6
http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24145
