25, April 2021
Cameroon researcher invents groundbreaking pesticide to fight malaria 0
Progress against the mosquito-borne infection remains fragile and African countries suffering an unprecedented epidemic of coronavirus are particularly at risk of seeing a resurgence of malaria. But a researcher from Cameroon, a country that carries a high burden of malaria, claims she has invented “atypical larvicide” to fight the deadly disease in her country.
In 2020, UNESCO and the L’Oréal Foundation listed Antoinette Ntoumba among the 20 young female scientists in Africa in recognition of her efforts to combat malaria. There are an average of 4,000 deaths from the disease reported in Cameroon yearly.
Ntoumba has spent the last seven years inventing a groundbreaking larvicide made from a secret selection of plants. This pesticide is intended to kill the larvae of mosquitos that carry malaria. She collects material for her research in the bush outside Douala.
The scientist says that her work offers a unique solution to the problem of mosquitoes’ increasing resistance to chemical pesticides. Her natural insecticide is also cheaper than many alternatives.
“What we are proposing today is innovation, because we are using plants and we are not using just one plant,” says Ntoumba, speaking with FRANCE 24. “What we are proposing will increase mosquitoes’ resistance to pesticides and create a natural, cheap product.”
Source: France 24
28, April 2021
Covid-19: Samuel Eto’o donates ten ambulances to Cameroon health service 0
SAMUEL ETO’O has proved just what the doctor ordered for his fellow countrymen… by donating 10 AMBULANCES to Cameroon’s health service.
The former Chelsea and Everton striker has been dismayed by the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on his home country.
Big-hearted Eto’o, 40, has now paid 400 million West African francs – £530,000 – to fund the fleet of emergency vehicles.
The ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan star presented them to Cameroon’s public health ministry last week.
He wrote on social media: “Donating 10 ambulances to the Ministry of Health in Cameroon.
“Was such an honour to be able to do this for my country, so more people can be helped in emergency situations.”
Eto’o donated almost £1million to build a children’s wing at the Laquintinie hospital in his home town Douala four years ago.
His charity foundation also provided face masks and food supplies last year.
Chelsea signed Eto’o from Russian club Anzhi in 2013. He scored a dozen goals in 35 Blues appearances.
The Cameroon international moved to Everton a year later, but struck just four times in 20 games.
He hung up his boots in 2019 following spells in Italy, Turkey and Qatar.
Last year, he was hospitalised with a head injury after being involved in a car crash that reportedly saw his 4×4 vehicle hit a bus.
Source: The Sun.co.uk