Health

Health • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 18, 2021 • 8 min read

History The Vietnam school dealing with the effects of Agent Orange 59 years on

By Ashley Lampard • Jan 18, 2021
The US first dropped Agent Orange on January 18, 1962, and with it thrust upon Vietnam a legacy of health complications passed down through generations. Still today, one school near Hanoi works to mend the lasting trauma inflicted by the deadly herbicide

Health • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 18, 2021 • 4 min read

Natural disasters Indonesian medics overwhelmed by quake casualties

By Andi Hajramurni and Dessy Sagita/AFP • Jan 18, 2021
Medics in Indonesia battled exhaustion and the risk of Covid-19 as they raced on January 18 to treat scores of people injured by a devastating 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Sulawesi island that killed 84 and left thousands homeless

Health • Jan 14, 2021 • 4 min read
Aviation

Despite crashes, analysts say Indonesian aviation safety has improved

Despite Indonesia experiencing several high-profile plane crashes in recent years, most recently Sriwijaya Air on January 9, analysts interviewed say the country's aviation safety standards have improved
By Martin Abbugao and Dessy Sagita/AFP • Jan 14, 2021

Health • Jan 06, 2021 • 8 min read
Cancer support

After diagnosis, Isaan filmmaker set to challenge Thai taboos around cancer

Diagnosed with stage-two lymphoma in recent months, filmmaker Ploy Naruemon Chaingam is set to tackle Thai women’s struggles with cancer and address the kingdom's societal taboos surrounding the disease head on in her latest documentary
By Tara Abhasakun • Jan 06, 2021

Health • Dec 30, 2020 • 2 min read
Covid-19

Singapore begins coronavirus vaccination campaign

Singapore began its Covid-19 vaccination campaign on December 30, making it among the first nations in Asia to roll out the inoculations after approving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine earlier in the month
By Agence France-Presse • Dec 30, 2020

Health • Dec 29, 2020 • 6 min read
Analysis

Preventing a pandemic of black-market vaccines in Southeast Asia

With the Covid-19 vaccine on the brink of being rolled out across the globe, in Southeast Asia, there are several things needed to expedite immunisations and quickly curb the pandemic, as well as reduce the risk of illegal and counterfeit supplies emerging
By Zandre Van Straten • Dec 29, 2020

Health • Dec 24, 2020 • 7 min read
Public health

What’s the danger with Vietnam’s motorcycle helmets?

Vietnam's love affair with the motorbike is a relatively recent one, having only blossomed in the mid-80s. As a result of successful public health campaigns, helmet use today sits at 90%, but researchers point to a significant hurdle to road safety that is yet to be overcome
By Govi Snell • Dec 24, 2020

Health • Dec 23, 2020 • 3 min read
Covid-19

Elephant Santas spread virus awareness among Thai children

Christmas and Thailand's love of elephants combined when four of the gentle giants dressed as Santa Claus turned up at a school just outside Bangkok, complete with huge coronavirus masks, in an effort to raise awareness around Covid-19
By Agence France-Presse • Dec 23, 2020

Health • Dec 10, 2020 • 3 min read
Covid-19

Burying the dead: Myanmar’s Muslim Covid volunteers

Unable to rent apartments, a team of volunteers in virus-ravaged Yangon live in a cemetery isolated from their families. They provide a crucial funeral rite to the city's Muslim community, as they lay coronavirus victims to rest each day
By Lapyae Ko/AFP • Dec 10, 2020