Under new Government proposals screening for both cystic fibrosis and Down’s syndrome are to be made available to all new mothers and pregnant women. The package of initiatives, unveiled in April by the Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper, is aimed at modernising neonatal and antenatal screening in the UK. Other...
When it comes to disease, rich countries are quick to share their wealth . . . But they are less ready to share their pharmaceutical solutions to these and other ills.[1] I doubt that singing and dancing is a regular feature of the Pretorian Court in South Africa. But last...
Sub-Saharan Africa is presently being overwhelmed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Of the estimated 34 million world-wide infected with the virus, two-thirds of them live in the region. The countries of Southern Africa are particularly hard-hit, with prevalence of between 10-20% in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.[1] Health services,...
At first sight it might seem incredible that anyone would want to hurt or damage an old person. Pictures of old people with facial bruising from an assault, or stories of intimidation by a younger person make us feel aroused and angry. Clearly, anyone who behaved in that way would...
Picture the situation: you’re a hardworking, frequently stressed junior doctor in a busy hospital. The firm is close-knit, supportive and your colleagues are all good mates. Five o’clock comes, you jet off home swapping your stethoscope for a Bible. Home group is your next stop. You’re actually a committed Christian...
When a new house officer starts work, he or she walks into a new and challenging set of relationships. As a medical student you don’t really have colleagues, just mates. A new doctor magically inherits a vast array of colleagues: seniors, paramedical staff, social workers, fellow house officers. The job...
Nucleus has played host to quite a few elective reports in the past and now I am about to add my tuppen’orth to the collection! I went to Luampa, a small mission hospital in the west corner of Zambia which is tiny, only 53 beds due to money shortages. Medical...
The boy’s seizures started in childhood (v21). He was robbed of speech (v17) but was still ambulant as the spirit threw him to the ground (v18). To have acquired speech he must have been at least three or four years old when he lost his voice. He is described as...
It’s difficult to know what to write. After enjoying the privilege of being involved with Nucleus for three and a half years, the time has come for me to pass the pen - or should I say keyboard - on. I have many people to thank; notably Peter Saunders, Sandra...
Answers God afflicted the Philistines with a plague of tumours (1 Sa 5:6) after they stole the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites. After enduring seven months of tumours, the people sought the advice of the priests and diviners. The advice given was to return the Ark with a gift...
Fetal implants fail in Parkinson’s trial New setback for Xenotransplantation Genetic tests increase anxiety Government encourages genetic tests in the NHS Insurance moratorium on genetic tests MPs move to close human cloning loophole Welsh prescription law puts pressure on English charges Christian teenagers say unmarried sex is OK New sex...