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Buruli ulcer is a little-known disease in Ghana, even though it is highly prevalent in West Africa. Cases have also been found in over 30 countries, including Australia. It starts with a bump on the skin, then swells and if untreated, finally bursts and eats away at the flesh. The disease often goes untreated in Ghana as there are only six buruli ulcer wards for a population of 24 million. Often people are admitted at a late stage, which can mean... Buruli ulcer is a little-known disease in Ghana, even though it is highly prevalent in West Africa. Cases have also been found in over 30 countries, including Australia. It starts with a bump on the skin, then swells and if untreated, finally bursts and eats away at the flesh. The disease often goes untreated in Ghana as there are only six buruli ulcer wards for a population of 24 million. Often people are admitted at a late stage, which can mean skin grafts and even amputation. Show more Show less

Over 5,000 people have died of cholera in Haiti and half a million have fallen ill. A cholera treatment centre with 25 beds is bulging at the seams with patients being forced to share a bed. Poor sanitation is fueling the disease outbreak and the government is now building its first ever sewage treatment centre.

A Ghanaian charity is providing basic health education and literacy to rural communities in the Volta region of Ghana. Many of the health problems are due to lack of education; such as not knowing the importance of washing hands or safe drinking water. Health workers teach basic literacy, as well as health education. Villagers are now able to understand important information, such as details on when and how often to take tablets.

Industrial designers in Sweden have developed an inflatable bicycle helmet that is worn as a collar. This is in response to the fact that many cyclists do not wear helmets, even though 40 % of accidents involve a head injury. To create the device, the designers spent six years researching and studying how people move normally on a bicycle and how they move during an accident.