Posts by Neena Bhandari

Profs. Tania Sorrell & Kevin Marsh on emerging infectious diseases

0 Comments read Health & Science

By Neena Bhandari

Professor Tania C Sorrell, Director, Sydney Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity and Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney; and Senior Physician in Infectious Diseases at Sydney West Area Health Service.

What are the new and emerging infectious diseases threatening the world in the coming decade?

In the context of emerging infectious diseases in what might happen in the next 10 years, we are really thinking in terms of two major problems – outbreaks which might develop into pandemics and the continuing increase in anti-microbial resistance and hence the dual problems of preventing and managing outbreaks and treating infections which are not responsive to the drugs we have available.

Continue reading →

New Infectious Diseases a Challenge to MDG Success

0 Comments read Health & Science

By Neena Bhandari

SYDNEY, 11.06.2010 (IPS) – While successful immunisation programmes worldwide have saved millions of lives, the threat of new infectious diseases and drug-resistant strains of existing diseases are posing a major challenge to governments, especially in developing regions like Asia, in meeting their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We have two major problems in the context of emerging infectious diseases in the coming decade – outbreaks, which might develop into pandemics, and the continuing increase in anti-microbial resistance,” Professor Tanya Sorrell, director of the newly established Sydney Institute of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, based at University of Sydney, tells IPS.

Continue reading →

Girls Give Red Card to FIFA’s Hijab Ban

0 Comments read Cricket & Sports, Gender
Lakemba Sport and Recreation Club women's football team. Photo Credit: Supplied

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 06.06.2010 (WFS): As the winter sun descends, young girls warm up for football training in their shorts and shirts at the Lakemba Sport and Recreation Club (LSRC) in Sydney, Australia. Some are also wearing a ‘hijab’, or headscarf, the traditional Islamic accessory used to cover the head.

Although a common sight in multicultural Australia, the ‘hijab’ has come under the spotlight as soccer’s world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), had banned it from competition in April this year.  FIFA’s rules state that players may not wear jewellery or dangerous headgear such as hair clips, and that “basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements”.

Continue reading →