Pambazuka News 398: Primary health care: the global orphan?

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) says it is developing computer softwares that would monitor internet services in the country as a way to combat cyber crimes. Spokesman of the Commission, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this to IT World, said the Commission is partnering with Information and Communication experts to develop the software.

A group of university students in Nairobi has developed tallying software that could cut costs and eliminate errors at the Electoral Commission of Kenya. The students said the software could enable the controversial electoral body record and process results electronically at individual polling stations across the country.

The World Health Organisation on Monday warned customers not to buy drugs made by Swiss pharma giant Novartis's Sandoz generics unit in South Africa after an inspection revealed more than 40 faults. AFP reported that the WHO said it had sent an official "Notice of Concern" letter to Sandoz on September 12 after an inspection of the unit's Kempton Park factory in South Africa.

South Africa's powerful COSATU trade union, which wants the government to tilt away from pro-business policies, called on new President Kgalema Motlanthe on Friday to eradicate poverty and create jobs. Motlanthe pledged after being sworn in on Thursday to keep to the policies of predecessor Thabo Mbeki, who presided over South Africa's longest period of economic growth before the ruling African National Congress forced him to resign.

As Zimbabweans and the rest of the world wait anxiously for the new government to begin, calls are being made for the authorities to prioritise the issue of human rights. The latest call comes from Canada’s International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy) saying the power sharing agreement must be accompanied by concrete measures to ensure human rights are respected and past abuses are investigated and prosecuted.

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