Eritrea

Vol. 21 No. 46
Wednesday, 6th of august, 2014
Pages 8, Price 1.50 NFA
16th annual festival of Eritrean community members in Scandinavia concludes with patriotic zeal
The 16th annual festival of Eritrean community members in
Scandinavia concluded with patri-
otic zeal on the 3rd of August 2014.
Speaking at the closing ceremony which witnessed the participa-
the Southern region has indicated
that the endeavors being made as
regards control of HIV/AIDS and
TB have witnessed more impact
equitably.
It made the remark at an assessment meeting in Mendefera,
during which Mr. Asefaw Negasi,
head of control of the diseases in
the region, explained that the rate
of infection of both diseases has
shows significant decline thanks to
the sensitization programs implemented thereof.
Likewise, Ms. Lemlem Habtu,
coordinator of TB control program, said that there exists a reli-
the disease, and that 93% of the
patients diagnosed with TB have
been cured completely.
It was stated in the course of the
meeting that the role of community
health representatives, local Administrations, line ministries and
the regional Assembly has become
vital to this end.
In closing remarks, Mr. Yemane
Haile, head of the branch office,
noted the importance of raising
community awareness vis-à-vis
lowering instances of communicable diseases, and called on health
personnel to exert more efforts for
still more gratifying outcome.
Southern region: Endeavors being
made as regards control of HIV/AIDS
and TB witnessable
more
impact
The Health Ministry’s branch in
technology for diagnosis of
tion of thousands of nationals, Ms.
Tsigereda Berhe, Secretary of the
event’s coordinating committee,
lauded the communal organizations of Eritrean citizens in Stockholm for demonstrating active participation in organizing the event.
She further explained the vitality
of the event vis-à-vis popularization of cultural values and enhancing community harmony.
Reports indicated that the activities staged in the event drew appreciation on the part of the participants who voiced readiness to keep
intact national values. Individuals
and organizations that made significant contribution as regards its
organizing also received certificates of merit.
Earlier, at a seminar he conducted to participants of the Eritrean
community festival in Scandinavia, Ambassador Feshatsion Petros explained that building strong
modern economy has been the basic strategy of nation building, and
that Eritrean nationals living inside
the country and abroad are working hard towards that end.
The Ambassador said that reinforcing productivity, capacity
building as well as strong organization are basic components for
building strong and modern economy, and called on participants to
work for preserving the strong values of the society.
He further stated that for the last
15 years the conspiracies on the
part of the external forces have
been targeting the youth aimed at
deterring the economic development of the country, and that all
external conspiracies have been
foiled by the staunch resistance of
the Eritrean people living inside
the country and abroad.
The participants on their part
expressed conviction to work for
the success of the national development programs and conduct
staunch resistance against the conspiracies of external forces by reinforcing organization.
In other related news, participants of the Eritrea Festival in the
Scandinavian countries said that
the pictorial presentation there
aptly conveyed the message and
objectives of the event.
They pointed out that the exhibition portrays the living style,
culture and history of the Eritrean
people, as well as the natural and
human resources of Eritrea. As
such, the presentation would play
key role in reflecting the true picture of the nation.
Reports indicated that the 40 pictures presented at the festival focus
on the history, culture and values
of the Eritrean society.
In line with the endeavors it has
been exerting towards furthering
human resource development, the
Ministry of Information conducted a
workshop as regards photography in
collaboration with UNICEF at Asmara Palace Hotel.
Mr. Abraham Gebremichael, Head
of Projects in the Ministry, indicated
that the initiative is part of the efforts being made as regards raising
the capacity of expertise, and that
the meeting is due to make remarkable impact pertaining to exchange
of experience.
Among the participant journalists, Ms. Kalshum Mohammed and
Mr. Saleh Abdulkadir noted the sig-
nificance of such workshop vis-à-vis
exchange of experience and thus enriching their capacity as media practitioners.
The meeting witnessed participation of reporters from all parts of the
country and the Headquarters Office,
as well as NUEYS members who are
engaged in similar profession.
Information Ministry conducts
workshop as regards photography in
collaboration with stakeholders
NCEW organizes training regarding
organizational significance and
operational safety at the work place
The National Confederation
of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) has
organized a training program with
a view to promoting labor awareness as regards the significance of
organizational dynamism and labor
safety at work place.
The head of training and research
at the NCEW, Mr. Tekle Yigzaw,
stated at the opening session that a
workforce possessing professional
competence that insures production efficiency plays key role in
promoting national economic development. He further indicated
that the endeavors being made to
attain this goal stem from such prerequisite.
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
“I Want Them To Firsthand Experience The
Peace And Stability Prevailing In Eritrea”
By: Yishak Yared
He fled his country in 1975 with
his parents at his teen age fleeing
the brutal and indiscriminate killing of innocent Eritreans by the
Derge regime. He stayed for two
years in the Sudan and in 1977 he
went to Germany. Currently he is
residing in the UK and working at
the Eritrean Embassy as head of
media. In every major events in
the country he comes with different cultural troupes and renowned
singers from different countries to
celebrate the event with his people.
Shabait.com had the opportunity
to have an interview with him.
-We would like to thank you for
your being with us for this brief
interview. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Yared Tesfai. I was
born in Asmara in 1965. I took my
elementary education (up to 3rd
grade) at the then American School
in Asmara. 1975 had been the year
during which the Derg regime came
to power and started indiscriminate
killings of innocent Eritreans simply because they were Eritreans.
Hence, my parents decided to flee
the country to seek refuge in the
Sudan. I was then 15 years old
teenager. We stayed in the Sudan
for about two years and in 1977 we
went to Germany. It was here that I
continued my formal education.
-How and when did you happen
to join music?
Alongside my college education, I took formal music education at the Pelican Music School
in Hamburg majoring Saxophone
Alto. When we arrived in Germany
in 1977, there were no Eritreans of
my age in the city I had been living.
But in 1980 many Eritrean youngsters started coming and I found
the opportunity not only to exercise my language but also to form
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Azieb Habtemariam
a music group and practically experience the music I learned at the
music school. It was then that we
were able to form the Red Flowers
(Keyahti Embaba) cultural troupe
in Diaspora. This cultural troupe
had been instrumental in raising the awareness of the Eritrean
people. The cultural troupe had
not been confined in playing music but also had been conducting
political, cultural and social education among the members and other
Eritrean youth in the area aimed at
strengthening our attachment with
our culture and societal values as
well as raising our awareness on
the ongoing national struggle for
our independence.
As time goes on we went more
matured and started thinking on
how we could contribute in our
capacity to the Eritrean struggle
for independence. That was when
we started making contacts with
similar revolutionary groups
aimed at spreading our cause and
at the same time collecting items
we think could be of help to the
struggle. And with that we have
been successful and many youth
of other countries in the areas we
have been living came to know and
understand the Eritrean struggle
for independence.
-What progress did you make
with your cultural group?
We had the chance, for the first
time, to perform music at the Bologna Eritrean festival in 1980. Here
we had the chance to get recognition by many Eritreans who participated in the festival. From here we
were able to conduct a tour to several countries in Europe promoting
the Eritrean cause among Eritreans
and other people interested in our
cause.
In 1981 we have been invited
to go to the US as part of our tour
in Europe. That was when we met
some of the senior leaders of the
EPLF. I could not tell you how I
felt the fact that I happen to meet
face to face with the people I only
knew by their names. It had been
an opportunity only few of my age
could find.
In 1984 a big music competition
had been organized in Europe. In
this music competition different
Eritrean renowned musicians and
singers took part. For example,
from Italy Tekle Hiwket, from
Sweden Ibrahim and Arefaine Gebru, from Holland Habtemicael
Gebremicael came to perform. And
we as a group got the chance to
participate in the show. At the end
of the show a cultural troupe ‘Mekaleh Eritrea’ has been officially
established under the umbrella of
the EPLF. And I became part of it.
-What happened later?
In 1988 I got the chance to come
to the field and have more experience about the daily life of the
liberation fighters and have discussions aimed sharing experience
with the cultural troupes that have
been established in the field. That
had been huge experience for me.
And that also created for me huge
motivation. Three years later, in
1991, right some months after Eritrean independence I came to my
beloved country after 16 years with
‘Dahai Eritrea’ cultural troupe to
express our joy with our people.
-Let’s go to another issue. Every
year during Independence Day
celebrations you are here with different music groups and renowned
singers. What motivates you do
that?
Independence Day celebration
is a very important event for the
Eritrean people. Our independence
had not been handed over to us
with silver plate. We won our independence through our lives and
blood. And that makes our independence day very special. In other
words, I also have the eagerness to
show other peoples on how the day
is very important to the Eritrean
people.
And the people that could meet
and bring them here to join our
celebrations are people engaged in
music. Hence bringing them to join
our celebrations have dual purpose:
to add color to our celebrations and
enable them get understanding on
the peace and stability prevailing
in our country and with that they
would be able to share their experiences with their compatriots.
-How do you contact them?
As I told you, I am working as
head of media in the Eritrean Embassy. My occupation allows me
to have contact with different individuals in different countries. My
profession as a musician also gives
me the opportunity to know many
musicians and singers. So far from
2004 onwards I had invited several
musicians and singers to join our
Independence Day celebration. To
mention but few, Fulani from Germany, UMOJA from South Africa,
Crane Performers from Uganda,
Crown Nkula Africa from Uganda,
Charlotte Khoza from South Africa, the Nazrawian Cultural groups,
and renowned singers Jackie Chadurie from Uganda, Ms. Jojo from
Rwanda, TikenJah Fakoly from
South Africa have come to Eritrea
to join our Independence Day celebrations.
-What about Eritrean singers?
You know, there are around 82
Eritrean singers known as Eri-Artista fully engaged in international
music and film industry. All of
them are eager to join our festivities, but with all the logistical challenges we could not invite them all.
So far people like, the EriAm Sisters, Winta Efrem, Betty Zere, Rahel Ghile, Helen Tesfazgi, Hermon
Rezene have come to celebrate our
Independence Day with us in Eritrea.
-Yared, could you tell us on your
future plan?
Inviting different artists to join
us in our Independence Day celebrations would continue. And,
actually it is in its infant stage, we
have in mind to organize massive
concert in Eritrea in which different artists from all over Africa
Eritrea – Immunization,. .
continued from page 3
In regards to the Rota Virus vaccination, it will aid in fighting rotaviruses, which are the most common
cause of severe diarrheal disease
in young children throughout the
world. Through the imminent introduction of the two vaccinations, as
well as the strengthening of other
national interventions, Eritrea expects to reduce under-five mortality
to a level below 40 per 1,000 live
births by 2016.
In terms of malaria, the country has renewed its commitment
“to [completely] eradicate malaria
prevalence.” Most recently, in October of 2013, it was announced that
Eritrea would officially proceed to
a new stage of malaria intervention,
entering a pre-elimination phase via
a 2-3 year period of consolidation.
This would see the establishment
of a Presidential Task Force on malaria elimination, and the renewal of
2
would participate. The aim of the
concert is to show the wide world
through the eyes of the artists the
peace and stability prevailing in
Eritrea, the progress the country
has achieved within the short years
of independence under the theme
of self-reliance.
-Anything you want to add?
I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the PFDJ cultural
affairs, NAS-Air, Foreign Affairs
Ministry and the Ministry of Information for the help they provided
me through out those years. nationwide partnerships across the
Ministries of Agriculture, Mines,
Defence, Education, National Development, Finance, Health, Zonal
and Sub-zonal Administration. As
part of the new phase, the country
has already begun to develop performance management systems at national, zonal and sub-zonal levels. In
addition, the pre-elimination phase is
expected to feature a strengthening
of malaria diagnosis and treatment
measures at health facilities, and
an expansion of optimal logistical
capacities in each zone for targeted
malaria elimination interventions.
Overall, with a sustained commitment to effective immunization,
vaccination, and intervention programs, as well as ongoing support
from international partners, Eritrea
can continue to improve the health
and development of its greatest asset – its citizens.
By: FikreJesus Amahazion,
Sources: www.tesfanews.net
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
In recent times, the international
community has made great strides
in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria,
preventable diseases, and other public health issues. For example, the
global focus on immunization has
seen full coverage increase from
around 5% in the 1970s to 83% today. International funding commitments have witnessed a dramatic
scale up of malaria control interventions generating measurable reductions in malaria burden; and in many
low and middle income countries,
millions of people now have access
to anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
Though the progress is certainly
commendable, it is important to
recognize that a multitude of challenges are outstanding, particularly
within Africa and the developing
world. East and Southern Africa
still remain most heavily affected by
HIV/AIDS, with 10 countries in the
region accounting for 34% of the
world’s HIV/AIDS cases. Approximately 20% of the world’s children
– mostly in the developing world –
are not fully vaccinated during their
first year of life and the majority of
the world’s malaria related deaths
continue to occur in Africa, where
a child dies every minute from malaria.
Though the lingering health issues
have prompted commitments of millions of dollars and the organization
of large campaigns, one of the most
successful efforts has been quietly
taking place in Eritrea. Located in
the fractious Horn of Africa, Eritrea
has proceeded to become one of the
few countries to achieve the UN
Millennium Development Goal regarding HIV/AIDS, malaria, and
other diseases. Further, its immunization and vaccination coverage
rates compare quite favorably with
much of the developing world. This
paper spotlights Eritrea’s recent success in immunization, vaccination,
and malaria prevention – evocative
of the country’s general health efforts during its liberation struggle
– while also outlining several forthcoming programs that bode well for
the future.
To begin, Eritrea’s recent efforts
at vaccination, immunization, and
malaria control arouse memories
of the country’s historical attention
to health and healthcare. While the
first modern hospital was built during Italian colonial rule, the national
focus on and commitment to health
began in earnest in the late 1960s
and early 1970s, during the early
years of the protracted war of independence. In developing a medically sound health system, the Eritrean
People’s Liberation Front (EPLF)
prioritized: “…proper nutrition;
adequate and safe water supplies;
basic sanitation; immunization; the
prevention and control of endemic
disease; health education and curative services”.
Although in 1970 it only possessed a single mobile health unit,
the EPLF was soon able to boast:
having trained 1600 barefoot doctors
and forty-one barefoot midwives (by
1985); 418 village health workers
and 150 birth attendants (by 1986);
thirty functioning health service stations and twenty-two health centers;
forty-one mobile barefoot health
units; 320 village health workers;
41 radio technicians; 18 dental assistants; 151 nurses; six regional and
one central hospital.
Of particular note, the EPLF’s
central hospital at Orotta, in Barka,
and the pharmacy unit hold legendary, almost mythical auras. The
Orotta hospital was often distinguished as the “longest hospital in
the world” since it was built into the
underground maze of trenches and
tunnels, and it was the scene of thousands of operations performed by
EPLF surgeons. Equally impressive,
the EPLF’s pharmacy unit was made
up of twenty-two members, and “…
by the end of 1987 it was producing
fourteen types of tablets and capsules – two million per month – and
hoping to provide…for sixty percent
of the population’s needs” (Pateman
1990: 222) Further, it produced 44
different types of medical supplies,
including infusions, intravenous fluids, syrups and ointments.
Discussing Eritrea’s health system
during the pre-independence period,
Sabo and Kibirige (1989) conclude
that Eritrea remained unwaveringly “…committed to developing
a needs-based health care system,
which functioned efficiently well”
and that through a careful, methodical selection of priorities and an allocation system for the distribution
of scarce resources, the EPLF provided remarkably effective emergency services, primary care and
preventive health services (Sabo
and Kibirige 1989). Findlay (1989)
also adds that the EPLF’s health care
system was “…better than those of
many already independent African
states.”
Though many of these unique
health related efforts were key to
Eritrea’s momentous liberation and
embodied the EPLF’s commitment
to the health of the population, at independence the country immediately
faced destruction upon a mass scale,
“…everything was destroyed [and
there were]…no roads, no electricity, no water.., no education…nothing was there”; for all intents and
purposes, Eritrea started from well
“below zero.” Health, especially in
terms of basic immunizations, vaccinations, and preventable diseases,
was in a terrible state.
For example, WHO data for 1993
show that only 32% of Eritrean chil-
3
Eritrea – Immunization, Vaccination, And
Malaria Control: Past, Present, And Future
dren had received DTP3 immunization, while measles and polio coverage were 34% and 32% respectively. The general period also saw
a high malaria prevalence rate: in
1995, there were between 300,000
– 400,000 malaria patients, and in
1998, approximately 500 people
died annually from malaria. To put
these figures into context, consider
Eritrea’s regional neighbors for
similar categories (see Figure 1):
in terms of DTP3 immunization,
1993 WHO figures show: Djibouti
at 41%; Ethiopia at 28%; Somalia
at 22%; Sudan at 49%; Kenya at
89%; Uganda at 56%; and Africa at
50%. Regarding measles coverage
Djibouti was at 41%; Ethiopia was
at 28%; Somalia was at 21%; Sudan
was at 51%; Kenya was at 84%;
Uganda was at 57%; and Africa’s
coverage rate was 52%.
Since the early post-independence
period, however, Eritrea has remained staunchly committed to improving the health of citizens. Further, much like during the liberation
struggle, it has utilized cost-effective, pragmatic approaches, involving broad participation.
In regards to malaria, Eritrea has
categorized the infectious disease as
an issue of utmost national concern.
Significantly, approximately 67%
of the population lives in endemic
areas, with the Gash Barka region
bearing greater than 60% of the burden. Of note, the most common malaria parasites found in the country
are Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum; the former leads to
severe disease and death, while the
latter is the deadliest species of all
malaria parasites infecting humans.
To control malaria, Eritrea has
employed an assortment of strategies, including the promotion of
national campaigns and community
based-programs. Many programs
have focused on providing extensive
awareness and information, organizing focus groups, using preventative
interventions, and encouraging the
use of medical check-ups and medication. As well, control strategies
have incorporated early treatment,
indoor spraying, a focus on drainage
and larviciding, mass distribution of
insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and
a variety of source reduction efforts.
As a result of the various control
measures, nearly 70% of children
below age 5 now sleep under ITNs
and over 60% of people own at least
2 ITNs. In addition, national malaria
incidence and deaths have declined
dramatically. Across the 1998-2012
periods, Eritrea’s malaria deaths per
1000 people at risk dropped by 90%
(see Figure 2), while the annual malaria incidence was reduced by over
85% (see Figure 3). Remarkably,
Eritrea’s malaria intervention was
recently described as “the biggest
breakthrough in malaria mortality
prevention in history.”
Much like its national malaria
intervention, Eritrea’s approach to
immunization and vaccination has
been practical and cost-effective,
ultimately leading to laudable outcomes. According to UNICEF, “immunization remains the single most
feasible and cost-effective way of
ensuring that all children enjoy their
rights to survival and good health.”
Notably, for a developing country
such as Eritrea, preventative vaccinations and immunizations can
prove critical since they help avoid
expensive treatments for illness.
As well, immunization programs
are important since they can boost
a country’s general growth, with
many analyses illustrating positive
economic impacts. [xxvii]
Eritrea’s approach to immunization and vaccination has been based
upon an array of cooperative agreements with various international
organizations and partners, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF,
the WHO, and the GAVI Alliance.
These partnerships have increased
supplies such as vaccines, syringes, and Vitamin A capsules, while
strengthening support for the development, production and dissemination of social mobilization materials,
regional plans and logistics. Vitally,
the Eritrean government has also encouraged the expansion of outreach
facilities, organized mass volunteer
campaigns, and generally exhibited
a high commitment to “achieving financial sustainability and full ownership of vaccine financing.”
Ultimately, the result has been
that more people – particularly nomadic peoples and children in rural areas – have received important
vaccinations and immunizations.
As a testament of Eritrea’s immunization and vaccination efforts and
effectiveness, consider its DTP3
coverage figures. DTP3 is amongst
the most prominent immunization
series, and helps to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping
cough). Administered in 3 separate
doses for infants (at one month, one
month and a half, and three months),
DTP3 coverage rates provide a useful gauge for how effective a country is in providing immunization for
children. According to the WHO, in
Eritrea, DTP3 immunization coverage has been at 99% since 2008 (see
Figure 4), while average immunization for the years 2000-2012 is 95%.
In comparison, average DTP3 immunization figures across the years
2000-2012 for Eritrea’s neighbors
are as follows (see Figure 5): Djibouti at 74%; Ethiopia at 46%; Somalia at 37%; Sudan at 78%; Kenya
at 81%; Uganda at 67%; and Africa
at 64%.
Yet, impressive immunization
coverage rates are not restricted to
DTP3; notably, Eritrea’s measles
and polio coverage figures also merit admiration. In 2012, the country’s
measles coverage was 99%, well
ahead of its neighbors: Djibouti at
83%; Ethiopia at 66%; Somalia at
46%; Sudan at 85%; Kenya at 93%;
Uganda at 82%; and Africa at 73%.
In terms of polio immunization,
Eritrea boasted a 99% coverage
rate while its neighbors posted the
following: Djibouti 81%; Ethiopia
70%; Somalia 47%; Sudan 92%;
Kenya 82%; Uganda 82%; and Africa 77%.
Overall, Eritrea’s rapid, remarkable improvement in immunization,
vaccination, and malaria intervention was the result of a capacity to
adapt, community buy-in, effective
coordination, resourcefulness, mutually respectful partnerships, cost-effective projects, and extremely hardworking volunteers and employees.
Nonetheless, the country has sought
to build upon past successes and recently it has begun to implement expanded services to better ensure the
health of citizens.
Specifically, Eritrea will introduce
the Pneumococcal vaccine during
the first quarter of 2014 and the
Rota Virus vaccine during the fourth
quarter of 2014.
The Pneumococcal vaccination
will help combat diseases such as
pneumonia, meningitis and febrile
bacteraemia, as well as otitis media,
sinusitis and bronchitis.
continued on page 2
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
Job
Title
&
number required
ads
To be able to pass a full Doctor’s examination.
Physical Requirement To be available to work in accordance with ZMSC
rosters.
Job
Title
&
number required
Accounts Payable Officer (01)
Laboratory Skilled Technician (01)
As an assistant of the laboratory director, complete set up the
gold mine lab.
Assist the lab director to complete the data
management, security management, equipment
management
and
personnel
training.
Duties
&
Responsible for data review and examination
Responsibilities
of team or group , supervising the personnel
operating standards.
Once day shift and night shift, must shift and personally
operate, complete sample processing, sample analysis, check
on and report the result, finish the data saving.
Assist the lab director to complete the outside and
internal check of sample , to ensure normal running of
the laboratory quality management system, ensure the
accuracy, timeliness of the test data.Complete storing
the chemical reagent, dangerous chemicals and analysis
sample. Assist the lab director to finish all the work
assigned by the company.
Skillfully with operations including sampling and test
methods of crude gold and 2# gold, fire analysis, cyanide test
, conventional elements (such asS As Fe)test ,environmental
project test and other gold wet test methods.
Knowledge & Skill
Skillfully with the operation including the standard of chemical
Requirement
analysis, chemical titration analysis, polyurethane foam and
activated carbon adsorb the gold. Use and maintenance the
atomic absorption spectrometer, spectrophotometer, analytical
balance .etc. and with training ability;
Skillfully with the processing operations of ore sample, using
and maintenance the equipment.
Be able to repair the simple failure of analysis instruments
and equipment. Be skillful with computer operations, such as
Microsoft Office software’s, exceptionally Word and Excel.
Education
Experience Required
National recognized qualification of Analysis Skilled
technician
The college degree or above.
Has basically theoretical knowledge of chemical,
understand the basic production process of gold mining,
mineral processing and smelting.
At least ten years working experience in large or mediumsized laboratory.
To be able to pass a full Doctor’s examination.To be
Physical Requirement available to work in accordance with ZMSC rosters. Be
healthy, especially no color blindness.
Job
Title
&
number required
Senior Cost Accountant (01)
Duties
Responsibilities
Develop and implement cost management plan, project controls
plan, and risk management plan to evaluate project performance
and recommend actions plan. Support project manager in
developing, reviewing and benchmarking of conceptual and
baseline estimates and contract cost controls, as well as the
& compilation and co-ordination of strategic plan as well as the
annual CAPEX and OPEX budgets of the project. Establish an
effective work break down structure and cost coding structures
and assigned schedule activities. Establish of a schedule
Baseline and Cost Baseline for the project progress to be
measured. Prepare and reconcile inventory costing. Review
contactor’s invoices for actual costing and tendering. Prepare
costing analysis in Ore Stockpiles and Gold in Circuit. Prepare,
analyse and report weekly, monthly, quarterly gross margin
analysis byproduct. Prepare WIP and FG inventory costing
calculation using costing models. Perform overall project’s
risk and variation management by analysing, controlling and
reporting thereof. And as per Job Description.
Knowledge & Skill
Requirement
Minimum 7 years of Cost Accounting experience and knowledge
of Mining processes.
Experience manipulating large data bases, specifically ERP
experience and good knowledge of excel.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, ACCA, business or related
field.
Experience Required
4
Excellent analysis, verbal and written communication
skills. Ability to collaborate with multi department teams.
High-level of attention to detail. Skills of ERP applications.
Strong organizational skills. Independent work skills.
Analytical and problem solving skills. Strongly detailoriented. Experience in Microsoft Office computer
skills, especially the ability to use ERP and accounting
softwares.
Reviews and verifies invoices and their accompanying
payment requests to ensure compliance to ZMSC’s
financial policies and procedures for such elements as:
proper authorization, applicable matching purchase order or
contract, accuracy and reasonableness of the charge code,
Duties & Responsibilities
applicable income tax reporting obligations and presence of
accurate banking information;
Prepares invoice batches and inputs in the accounts payable
module of the financial information system on a daily basis
to ensure payments are processed in time for the weekly and
monthly deadlines; Creates supplier records in the financial
information system; Expediting Vendors Accounts, Reviews
employee travel claims to ensure accuracy and completeness of
justification, both in relation to ZMSC policies and procedures;
Receive, Check and input supplier invoices into ERP, Prepares
journal entries to record cost allocation or adjustments in the
financial system, Provides
advice to clients regarding procedures relating to accounts
payable, Maintain the unpaid supplier invoices files. And as per
Job Description.
Good math and computer skills. High-level of attention to detail.
Knowledge & Skill
Skills of accounting software applications. Strong organizational
skills. Independent work skills. Analytical and problem solving
Requirement
skills. Strongly detail-oriented. Computer skills, especially
the ability to use accounting software. Written and verbal
communication skills.
Education
Experience Required
Physical Requirement
Job
Title
&
number
required
University Diploma or Degree in Accounting
Minimum 5 years experience as Accounts Payable or Accountant.
Mining experience will have an asset.
To be able to pass a full Doctor’s examination.
To be available to work in accordance with ZMSC rosters.
Store Officer (03)
Receive materials from suppliers. At the time of receipt of material
confirming that the materials have been sent by the supplier on the
basis of purchase order. Preparing a Good Received Note on arrival
of goods. The material received by the Warehouse Coordinator must
be arranged in a proper manner. Keeping stores tidy and organized.
Duties
&
After the receipt of materials they are to be preserved properly.
Responsibilities
Ensure safe keeping both as to quality & quantity of materials.
Storing and securing of goods in warehouse. Record of goods
received in computer system. Maintain a stock control register to
manage item consumption and ordering. Maintaining inventories.
Maintain stock control register. Periodic stock take and drawing up
of purchase requisitions as required. Issue of materials and supplies
to authorized personnel. Initiate purchase requisitions for the
replacement of stock & when items approaches the minimum limit
fixed in respect. Initiate action for stoppage of further purchasing
when the stock level approaches the maximum limit. Issue materials
only in required quantities against authorized requisition notes/
material lists.
Ability to communicate fluently in English and Tigrigna. Strong
Knowledge & Skill written and oral communication skills. Reliable, responsible
and dependable and fulfilling obligations. Personable and
Requirement
approachable. Ability to reach resolution to complex and unusual
problems involving various stakeholders. Ability to work with
and positively influence suppliers.
Education
Degree or Diploma in Commerce or related subjects.
At least five (5) years’ experience working directly in a warehouse
Experience Required in a similar capacity. Preferably having experience with a mining or
exploration company.Holding of valid driver’s license.
To be able to pass a full Doctor’s examination.
P h y s i c a l To be available to work in accordance with ZMSC rosters.
Requirement
General Information and other requirements: Place of work: Asmara and Zara Site, based
on the nature and assignment of work. Occasional assignment to other locations. Salary:
As per
Company scale.
Additional Requirement for nationals: Having fulfilled his/her National Service
obligations and provide evidence of a release paper from the Ministry of Defense.
Having finished registration and duty performing for the National Army, and present the
release paper or registration card issued by National Army. Provide a Clearance paper
from office of the Eritrean Police and present Medical Certificate from Hospital. Present
Clearance paper from the current/last employer. Only short listed applicants would be
considered as potential candidates for an interview. Application documents will not be
returned back to the sender and/or applications should be sent through the Post Office.
Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the News paper.
Address: Please mail your applications to: ZARA MINING SHARE CO. P. O. Box 2393.
Asmara, Eritrea.
Note to Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application to: Aliens Employment
Permit Affairs P.O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea.
‘Esele’: A Book for Crippling the Poverty of short Stories Profile
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
Author: Mr. MulueBirhan
HabteGebriel
Genre: Literature domain,
Short Stories
Language: Tigrigna (A Vernacular Language)
Pages: 134
Printed in: Atlas Graphics
Printers, Asmara, 2014
As Yosief A.Z. has covered,
after a new era has signaled on
May 24 of 1991, the year of 2006
was much more famous for ushering Eritrean readers about goodly
crafted books. ‘SofiYa’, a direct
translation of the Sophie’s World,
which, as preliminary researches
also shows, is a book which has
played vital role in erecting the
pillars of philosophical understanding among the current young
generations. Truly, this book was
published in 2006. Similarly,
‘TeAmot’, a book of Eritrea’s artistic journeys, and, a book entitled
‘Kab MatiYenso Kisab Tedla, a
chronicle of historical events of
1950s, and, at last, ‘Tsbit Bahgu’,
one of the well crafted books of
creative assets, were among the
over 27 contently enriched books
which were published in the year
of 2006.
And after eight years, now, in
this current year, has also been a
year of applauded response from
short-stories writers. ‘TereF’ (Of
the Collections) by Akedir Ahmedin, Aryam’s Woldeab ‘Kidmi
KedaMay’ (Foremost of the First),
and ‘SeHakin NibAtin’ (Tears
and Laughs) by MulueBiorhan
HabteGebriel has already branded
goodly for enliven and bolding the
enrichment of Tigrigna’s short stories profiles. And, now again, we
have ‘Esele’ (the very last commemorative dancing party in traditional wedding), by the prolific
writer, Mr. MulueBirhan Habtegebriel.
On January 15 of 2000, the late
and triumphantly ‘kirar’ player and
singer, Amleset Abbay, thundered
one very crucial message in a conference that was held in Segeneiti
as part of the kaleidoscopic and
resultant program of the ‘Against
All Odds’, an international symposium which was aimed at excelling
heritages of indigenous African
literature. As she manifested then:
Art is of love, but not of about
planting hatred feelings. I feel
proud when I heard the declaration
of one traditional dirge composer
(MaseGna) who said that ‘give
me one poem; add one maddening
short story. Then, let’s stir both by
adding the wisdom of our forefathers and foremothers. Sure, now,
we have life. (Marcel Claxton, African Women Trumpets, February
7, 2000, p.7).
Language Usage in ‘Esele’
Following to the good awarding conference on Tigrigna’s language in 1994 in Mekele, Tigray,
efforts have been underway for
empowering linguistic potency of
this Semitic language which is one
of the challenging communicating
tools in its entangled tricks in its
‘pluralism’ guidelines and ‘verbal
representation’.
However, Mr. MulueBirhan
crippled the long and wrongly
perceived conception on the unexploited potency of Tigrigna’s
language. Mark Twain once told
us: “Words—if they are applied
in simple but expressive way—are
bridges to engulf the readers into
5
a lonely world where there are
thousands ways to transform the
undiscovered world into aesthetic
home of existence.” And very fortunately, ‘Esele’ has marketed very
simply concurred words; however,
even novice readers understand
the message, the language and the
characters so heartedly without
such laboring efforts.
‘Bolo’ (The Stomach Turning
Harbinger from VCT), ‘Weyo ProfeSer’ (The Self Hatred Professor),
‘MienTi Fikri’ (The Cost that Values Love), and ‘AmakaRit’ (The
Marriage Consultant), are typical
instances. Misusage of the words
of Tigrigna has been a sulking
phenomenon especially when you
are acknowledged about the unjustified weaknesses in media outlets
like the Voice of America’s Tigrigna program and other neighbor
country stations. Thanks for the
dedication he showered, however,
the author of ‘EseLe’ effaced like
those intolerable pitfalls or appearances.
Of course, since founding its
comparatively solid ground in
1950s, the Tigrigna writers have
always been torn between two patterns; those who follow the ‘Sals’
and ‘Sadis’ (Ki/Kie/Z/ and Zie)
way of writing as others, especially Eritrea’s writers, opt the wording style that advocates for ‘writing the words as they are coherent
to the way of pronunciation.’ This
has been a remarkable change in
that language since 1867, a year in
which the first translation of the Bible translation was made by Debtera Matewos. Of course, the author of ‘EseLe’, Mr. MulueBirhan
also followed the lately dominated
way of crafting your words as they
Part I
are easily compatible to the accent
and pronunciation of the Eritrea’s
highlanders.
Undeniably, therefore, ‘EseLe’
is crowned with a clearly bordered
language proficiency from which
I have enabled to witness the new
aurora that I hope to outshine in
great harmony in the coming future. Of the 1960s fictional books,
for instance, ‘ZeyweAlkwo Kitlet’
(The unintended Assassination I
am Accused Of) by Lijam Yishak,
‘Awet DiHiri Sikay’ (Victory after
Trespasses) by Hayelom Ahdane,
‘MeKan Mealti’ (Brands of the
Futile Day) and ‘AybedelKun’
(I am not the Guilty One) by Michael Meharihad, in addition to
their samsonian power in unfolding such literary reflections, such
inescapable weaknesses in the usage of Tigrigna language has been
unearthed.
Highly underpinned by the time
and effort he scarified in translating over 500 psychology-centered
articles to Tigrigna readers in the
various local media-outlets, indeed, Mr. MulueBirhan triumphed
in mastering the elements of Tigrigna language properly but in moderate way. Truly, if one has paid a
razor-sharp focus on the way how
characters of ‘Esele’, assuredly, he
will be mesmerized. Of course, the
flexibility of the characters in ‘Valiyem’ (Valium), ‘Bukish’ (Bookish), ‘MestiYat’ (The Mirror of Exactitudeness) and ‘Gasha Wuhuj’
(The Unexpected Stream) are well
armored. The benefit of using a
manner that investigates the deepness of sentences, shallowness of
words if they spoken by novice
speakers, and, additionally, how
to analytic while creating inviting
way of communication are great
assets of ‘EseLe’s characters.
Apparently, Heraclitus’s curt
sayings, Socrates dialogical manner, the Pregnant Aphorisms of
Nietzsche…are themselves organic components of the sense
that these thinkers are trying to
convey. Enough so to be among
the lucky readers, the simplicity of
the language mechanism the writer applied attracted me heartedly.
And I am greatly hopeful that Mr.
MulueBirhan HabteGebriel to be
recalled as a thinker who philosophize through nostalgic characters
of such sheen filled short-stories.
Meanwhile, such alleged colors that were added by A. Murtonen Lionel, Sidi Paulos, Haleka
KidaneWeld Kifle and Professor
Getachew HaiLiye for exaggerating, or, to reposition the line of
‘Ge’eZ’, as to acclaim that it is
‘language of the Heavens Angels’,
had been damaging the nerves of
Tigrigna language. Defiant answers of the Eri-Coptic priests
for the translation of the Bible in
Tigrigna language in the fall of
the 19th century, for instance, is a
clear indication of that ruinous action and its impacts in the mind of
even the indigenous citizens.
‘EseLe’: Supporting or Attacking the ‘Feminism’ or the ‘Equality’ Theory Blatantly
One of the aged parchments of
Eritrea’s Coptic Orthodox Church
is ‘Angare Felasfa’ (Or archives
of the Philosophers Meditation).
Written in ‘Ge’ez’ and yet has been
kept in the eminent Monasteries
of Saint Merkerewos and Abune
Endiriyas covers more topics on
various issues. Even it has chronicled sayings of the sage philosophers in the way that it supports
for building a puritanical mind,
with its goodly managed contents;
it has its own weaknesses. The
parchment opposes for such cases
as if it is tightly meant to be on of
the ‘Gender Issues’.
In ‘EseLe’, however, the overwhelming characters are under the
dominance of intelligent ladies and
women; they shepherd the narrations proudly. Certainly, it is crystal-clear that we have a patriarchal
culture in which the atmosphere
for females is too narrowed. And
after Yitbarek Gebretinsae’s book
entitled ‘Men Eyu ZedihNeni’
(Who May Redeem Me?) in 1960
G.C by the Kokobe Tsibah Printers, ‘EseLe’, is the only book for
which we have to read so meticulously in regard this issue. The
second part will cover this and
other related issues.
Eritrea’s Power Challenges
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
By: Berhane Woldu
At a conference in Asmara, Eritrea, a person in the audience got
up and decried the fact that there
is acute power problem. The person’s concern was that the City
of Asmara was becoming prone
to black out and the in-convinces
of shortage of light and the use of
surfing the internet. I was taken
by the question and had wanted
the person to sit down; but being
rational on the topic was the way
out. Meaning that recognizing that
the question of power isn’t a moral one; it’s finical, environmental
and technical one. As the saying
goes Electricity is the issue of the
“White Elephant”. The Ministry
of Energy and Mines has from the
outset devised strategies to supply
sufficient, reliable and cost effective energy supply that takes the
ecosystem into account. The energy policy takes into account the
social, economical and the benefits
of future generation.
Presently, there is a huge difference in the demand and supply
of power. This is due to greater
power demand than its power production capacity. Prior to the nation’s independence its demands
for power was limited. Electricity
was only supplied in the very few
major cities with low population
density and electrification was
limited. After independence the
distribution of electricity lines has
been expanded to areas that were
never beneficiaries. The integrated
national electricity network power supply has increased in terms
of megawatts’. There was ample
supply of power until the year of
2006 all the major cities were well
supplied with electrical power and
no black out were seen in the city
of Asmara, Massawa and other
major cities. As the demand for
power increased specially with the
increase of distribution to the outskirt cities and villages the supply
and demand has not intersected.
The increase and update of the
power supply at different intervals
has not been sufficient with the increase in the use of power. Small
industries, hospitals, education facilities and the municipal services
have increased immensely. These
increases in service have increased
the demand for electricity. Every
household now has TV, refrigeration, micro-wave, electric-oven
and few have air-conditioned their
living quarters. These and many
other conspicuous consumption
has stressed the system. The Ministry of Energy and Mines has updated the Hirgego power plant and
it’s resolved the power outages.
In-addition the use of generators
and renewable energy is expanding. As the nation develops the demand for power will increase.
How is the future power supply
to be addressed? Which economic
sector are the priorities; industrials
sectors, agro-industry or the electrification to every corner of the
country for consumer consumption? What are our finical outlooks and capacity to fund these
demands? What type of power
plant? These are the conversation
we need to have.
However demanding there are
plans and work going on to satisfy
energy supply demand through
the expansion of electrification
programs, introducing new generators and networking different
areas that have not yet been covered through grids. There are two
major area of concern in the general skim of development that has
priorities. Gedem Cement Factory
and the Gash-Barka region which
is the center of agro-industry and
known for its economic potentials
are priorities and recipient of this
plan. The Gedem Cement factory
has been in less than its production capacity; with the nations
plan in the housing projects and
water conservation programs it
has to be fully functional and productive in order to supply cement
to the housing projects and dams
that has been planned. Hence the
Ministry of Energy and Mines
has been working in accomplishing Gedem’s cement factory own
sources of power independent of
other sources to enable its full production.
The Gash-Barka region with
high potential in the agro-industry
and known for its economic miracles are priorities and recipient of
this plan. The agro-industry has
high power needs the projected
sites like Omahger, Gerset, Fanco
and the Tesene area. The Anseba
region such as Elaberet to the
South Himbol to the West these
projects are the Mother of All Integrated Power Priorities that are being worked on. The interconnected
power supply will have to increase
to over 300 Megawatts’. These
and many power issues are being
addressed as the ministry is working with different partners in types
of power sources and the funding
of these power projects.
As a nation we are not capable
of nuclear power however there
are a range of alternatives that we
could work on such as geothermal
energy, solar and wind energy.
They have their own advantages
and disadvantages but could be
contributors to our power source
even to the extent of fully powered
on alternative renewable source of
energy. If we were to only use hydrocarbons and have no other alternatives what is the environmental
consequences we have to contend
with, what is the damage to human life? We are all aware of the
power problem around the world.
Some nation have shortages others have plenty of power yet they
have problem with environmental issues. Nuclear power maybe
nonpolluting but is a source of radioactive waste disposal problem
and its radioactive leaks has killed
many people and has caused environmental damages.
Going forward our plan should
concentrate on two major power
sources: conservation and renewable source. The Ministry of Energy and Mines needs to work on
minimizing wastage of power by
educating the population on conservation and encouraging the use
6
of solar power to new buildings.
This is not to say the ministry has
not done its job as it’s documented the introduction of economical lamp in the Northern Red Sea
area, the use of wind energy in the
Southern Red Sea region and the
introduction of modern equipment
to prevent wastages during the process of transmission from one area
to another are witness to the great
job the ministry is doing in conservation. The Ministry has also expanded the use of natural gas for
cooking purposes and introducing
oven that use gas instead of electricity by building gas distribution
tanker that cost 4 million euro in
2010 and new tanker that cost 10
million euro to supplement the use
of electrical power. As stated above the issue of
power is not a simple issue. It’s the
issue of the “White Elephant” and
one that cannot be accomplished
within a short years of development. It needs a large amount of
foreign currency, expertise and
budget to service and run power.
For my friend who decried that
Asmara is in the dark, I would like
to say if the priorities were to only
provide electricity to the cities his
concern would not have been an
item for discussion, but the Nations mission is equal accesses to
all regardless of location. Much
has been achieved in the electrification of the nation and increasing
the source of power and more is
to be done in the near future. The
Eritrean people and government
as have done in the past will overcome the power shortage through
the culture of doing your best with
whatever you have while building
one thing at a time. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
Meron Abraha
If I were to ask whether you had
any experience with traditional medicine, what would the answer be?
Nowadays, when science and technology seem to be playing a vital
role in identifying and curing diseases, one could hardly expect a
positive answer especially from the
youth and intellectuals (who consider traditional healing practices as
old-fashioned and at times mistaken
notions).
Among the elderly, health (or lack
of it) has religious implications.
Just like natural disasters, diseases
are also seen as a punishment from
God, and are thus believed to be
cured only in what are known as
mai-selots (shall we call them holy
springs?). Any ailing old man or
woman would rather go to one of
such numerous holy springs than
going to a hospital.
Talking about holy springs, there
are several of them scattered all
across the country. Among the most
prominent are Adi Raesi, Gabr
Der’Anto, Abune Tekle, Ura’el.
There is also the hot water springs at
Mai Wu’ui, which is a famous health
resort for curing people with rheumatisms and asthma among others.
Not very far from Mai Wu’ui also
is a place known as Akwar where a
number of outlets of water welling
up from underground sources are
found. These are believed to have
healing powers for people with hearing, sight or kidney problems: some
sort of a small-scale hospital in the
wilderness.
Now the earlier are all centers for
hydro shock treatments and come in
handy in cases of mental disorders
and demonic possessions: the icy
cold waters battering down from
heights of well over 4 meters, in the
freezing morning hours, is sure to
knock the senses out of you if not ostracize the ‘devils’ out of your body.
And the patient undergoes that
cruel but otherwise supposedly effective treatment for seven or four-
teen consecutive days.
If there is at all such a thing as
possession, which to this very day
I find very inconceivable, the ideal
prescription is to immerse the unfortunate victim in the blessed spring
and keep dipping him/her in and out
of the water until the demands of the
‘possessor’ are met.
There is also the issue of evil eyes.
If you anger or cross someone who’s
allegedly in the devil’s possession,
then that person enters the body and
won’t leave until all types of harsh
exorcism procedures are undertaken. And regardless how painful the
torture is, the victim, once liberated,
has no bruises or pains whatsoever
on his/her body.
Although I haven’t seen any such
procedure nor do I believe in it, there
is a story that my mom reminisces.
It happened in our house when I was
just a first grader. A young woman,
who had come to visit from our village, suddenly got sick with acute
abdominal cramps. An elder woman,
also from the village, happened to
be in the same room and somehow
knew that she was possessed.
Now, according to my mom, the
possessor of this poor young woman
was apparently a man in her village
who had seen her going home with
her bundle of firewood, had saluted
her but she “allegedly” ignored his
greeting. All this information was
extorted from him after he was suffocated (via the girl’s body) by burning loads of pepper. One can only
imagine that flaming sensation!
My mom was speechless and
refused to stand such a dreadful
sight. In the course of the exorcism
however, the young woman, probably out of sheer frustration, and
to the amazement of all onlookers,
was seen to lift a granite grindstone
(weighing way over a quintal) with
her own bare hands just as if it was a
piece of charcoal. She had of course
no recollections whatsoever of her
ordeal.
“They say ‘Seeing is believing’
Traditional Healing: Be
Gone Modern Medicine!
but I still couldn’t believe my eyes,”
my mom says, still to this day skeptical about the whole thing.
When it comes to health, Eritreans
take the donkey as a symbol of
health. In fact if you ask any Eritrean
about his/her health, the answer is
habitually “I am healthier than a
donkey.” Pondering on the phrase I
made a little research and found a
seemingly plausible explanation.
I read in one article that traditional
Eritrea actually dictates drinking
cold water early in the morning to
maintain a good health. The same
article also pointed out that that a
donkey drinks water first thing in the
morning and stays healthy all his life
until he dies of total exhaustion.
There you go, the assimilation of
a donkey to a healthy person explained!
The secret of staying healthy,
however, did not solely lie upon
drinking water. Following a good
diet was also important. Have you
ever wondered why is it that in the
yester years, our grandparents barely fell ill as frequently as the young
generation presently does?
It goes without saying that their
living style fell far behind that of
ours and yet, they were ‘as healthy
as donkeys.’ I remember my late
grandmother literally crunching a
sheep or a cow’s bones with her
teeth. But if we look at our youngsters today, most of them, including
myself, have been to the dentist at
least once.
Our forefathers led a simple life
without the commodities and luxuries we can afford today. They used
to walk, eat their kitchas (unleavened bread) and honey, drink fresh
milk, and so on… We on the other
hand spend the little money we have
on pastries and delicacies that do no
good except make you lose your appetite and deprive your body of the
necessary vitamins and nutrients.
They take up roasted barley while
we try to imitate the westerners and
stick to pop corn while watching
movies.
If and whenever sickness comes
knocking, they seek remedy in traditional medicine. The so called traditional healers use medicinal herbs
and other local ingredients to treat
common sicknesses. There are also
home remedies for the simple ones.
For example, eucalyptus leaves
are boiled in water and the steam
inhaled to help fight sore throat or
cold, while for children, the herb
rue (known locally as chena adam,
or Adam’s fragrance) is ground with
warm oil and rubbed on the chest.
Both remedies were among the
favorites of my grandmother. Whenever I had cold, even though I had
syrup doses prescribed by the doctor, my grandmother would compel
me to inhale the smelly steam of the
boiled leaves. As much as it was awful, I hate to admit that it was also
highly effective. But then of course
I was too young to understand. And
then there was that awful pungent
odor of the rue as she would rub it
on the bellies of my younger siblings
to make them warm.
And then there is bloodletting
(mahgoma), the surgical removal of
some of a patient’s blood for thera-
7
peutic purposes. Traditionally, when
a person feels pain in a certain part
of his body, it is believed that he/she
would get better if the tainted blood
in that area was removed. And this
was best done by sucking it out from
the system with a horn that is placed
on top of the skin, which had been
previously slit for the purpose.
Usually, the oozing blood is dark
in color (owing to the fact that it’s
a broken vein or artery), which the
traditional healer proudly proclaims
as the ‘tainted blood.’ Bystanders
and the patient thank the supposedly
‘brilliant’ doctor for the successful
operation.
For children, there is also the
harmful practice of removing the
uvula (locally known as anker mklae). Traditional healers perform the
uvulectomy on babies to prevent
infections and other disorders associated with the throat. What they
probably failed to understand is that
the uvula is a fleshy extension of the
palate that normally serves as a protective tissue, blocking germs from
passing into our system.
While these are only some of the
common traditional healing practices (with their strong and weak sides),
there is a large variety of methods
used to treat diseases. These methods are based on personal experiences or on knowledge shared over
many generations.
While the clear definition of traditional medicine remains complicated, there is strong evidence from
scientific research that lauds its effectiveness. After all, poplar medicine has its roots in roots and herbs,
thus, basically, traditional medicine.
Contrary to popular medicine
however, the treatment procedures
of the healers are secret and cannot be discussed openly. They can
only be transferred from generation
to generation within the family of a
healer.
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 6th of august, 2014
8
Chili peppers cut risk of developing intestinal cancer
Animal study has indicated that
the active ingredient in chili peppers known as capsaicin plays significant role in reducing the risk of
developing intestinal tumors.
Researchers at the University of
California, San Diego School of
Medicine found that capsaicin produces chronic activation of a receptor on cells lining the intestines.
The occurred phenomenon ultimately triggers a reaction at the tissue that averts the risk of colorectal
tumors, reported at the Journal of
Clinical Investigation.
“The receptor, called TRPV1,
was originally discovered in sensory neurons, where it acts as a
sentinel for heat, acidity and spicy
chemicals in the environment.”
The cancer risk impact is dependent on how TPRVI is activated by
epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR), which drives cell growth
in the stomach and intestines.
In the study mice that were
modified to be deficient in TRPV-1
showed much higher rates of tumor
growth in the intestines.
“Our data suggest that individuals at high risk of developing recurrent intestinal tumors may benefit
Peru court orders US mining
firm to pay $163mn
Peru’s high court has ordered
American mining company Doe
Run to pay USD 163 million for
failing to take sufficient environmental measures at one of its sites
in the country.
The court said Saturday that Doe
Run, one of the world’s largest producers of lead, failed to honor its
environmental commitments at its
site in the central Peruvian city of
La Oraya.
In addition to lead, the site produces other metals including copper, which create large amounts of
polluting byproducts.
According to the company’s
contract with the Peruvian government, Doe Run, which has been
operating in the city since 1922, is
required to take stringent preventive measures to safeguard the environment in the area.
Peruvian
officials said Lima
decided to sue the
American company after it failed to
build a treatment
plant to reduce the
emissions.
A report published by the International Federation for Human
Rights last year found that the air
in La Oraya “been contaminated by
emissions of lead and other heavy
metals spewed from the chimneys
of the refinery” run by Doe Run
and that the city’s water and soil
also had been contaminated.
La Oraya was ranked in August
2013 among the five worst-polluted cities in the world. According
to data, the Peruvian city, home to
20,000 people, 97 percent of children aged between 6 months to 6
years and 98 percent of children
from 7 to 12 show high levels of
lead in their bloodstream.
This file photo shows a girl
watching gray and yellow colored
smoke spewing from the chimneys
of a US-owned refinery in the Peruvian city of La Oraya
from chronic TRPV1 activation,”
said the senior author of the study
Eyal Raz.
The experts believe that one
potential remedy might be spicy
capsaicin, which acts as an irritant
in mammals, generating a burning
sensation in contact with tissue.
“Chronic ingestion of compounds that affect TRPV1 such as
capsaicin might help prevent metabolic decline with age and lead to
increased longevity in humans,”
stated the University of California
researcher Andrew Dillin.
Chili peppers considerably boost
heart health by reducing high blood
pressure and cholesterol, an earlier
study said.
Scientists had earlier uncovered
that capsaicin could lower cholesterol levels by reducing accumulation of cholesterol in the body and
increasing its breakdown and excretion in the feces.
Capsaicin also provides other
benefits such as painkilling effects,
a number of previous researches
reported.
Human-dependent android
hitching across Canada
A human-dependent android has
been set on a hitchhiking trip across
Canada in search for an answer to
an uncanny query.
Put together from household
items, “hitchbot” started its journey on July 27 in Canada’s Atlantic port city of Halifax on a mission
designed by McMaster University
experts.
The project aims to see if robots
can trust humans, “hitchbot” needing to look to humans to help it fare
through thousands of kilometers of
trekking.
Frauke Zeller, co-creator of the
Us Space Agency Plans To Make
Oxygen On Red Planet
A US space agency Mars rover that would launch in 2020 is
to carry a device that will turn
carbon dioxide in the Martian
atmosphere into oxygen.
The oxygen thus created
could then be used to make
rocket fuel and for future astronauts to breathe, according
to Bill Gerstenmaier, associate
administrator for the Human
Exploration and Operations
Mission Directorate at NASA.
“The 2020 rover will help answer questions about the Mar-
Liberians Take To Streets To Protest Over Ebola
People in Liberia have taken
to the streets to protest against
bodies left for days in the
streets and houses of the Ebolahit country.
“No cars are allowed to pass
on this road until the government can come and get the bodies that have been lying in the
houses for four days now,” a
protester in the capital Monrovia said on Monday.
“Four people died in this
community. Because the government says that we should not
touch bodies, no one has gone
to bury them. We have been
calling the ministry of health
hotline to no avail.”
Liberian President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf said last week
that the country will close all
schools and most of its land
Members of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) put on Ebola protective
gear. (file photo)
borders in a bid to contain Ebola.
Meanwhile, the World Health
Organization
(WHO)
announced that the worst Ebola
outbreak in history has taken
the lives of 887 people in West
Africa as of August 1.
The WHO confirmed that the
automaton, said,
“Our aim is to
further discussion
in society about
our relationship
with technology
and robots, and
notions of safety
and trust.”
“It cannot achieve its task of
hitchhiking across Canada without
the help of people, because it cannot move by itself,” she said.
It can strike up a conversation
and can answer trivia questions by
consulting information using its
built-in computers.
And it will even tell you when
it’s tired and in need of recharging
from your car’s cigarette lighter.
The robot is small enough to fit
into the backseat of a car, but still
have enough heft so it would not be
blown over by a gust of wind while
hitchhiking on the side of the road.
total number of reported cases
in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria has surpassed
1,600.
Guinea is the hardest hit, with
a death toll of 358. Sierra Leone, which declared a state of
emergency last week, leads the
way with the most reported cases at 646. Liberia has had 468
cases and 255 deaths.
Nigeria has become the most
recent West African country
to report cases of Ebola. Last
week, a US citizen infected
with the virus died in the Nigerian city of Lagos, shortly after
flying in from Liberia.
There is currently no known
cure for Ebola, a form of hemorrhagic fever whose symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and
bleeding.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood,
feces or sweat. It can also be
spread through sexual contact
or the unprotected handling of
contaminated corpses.
Ebola was first discovered
in the Democratic Republic of
Congo in 1976 in an outbreak
that killed 280 people.
tian environment that astronauts
will face and test technologies
they need before landing on,
exploring and returning from
the Red Planet,” he has said.
“This is a real step forward
in helping future human exploration of Mars by being able
to produce your oxygen on
the surface of Mars,” Michael
Meyer, lead scientist for the
Mars Exploration Program at
NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C., has said.
Other proposals accepted
for the unmanned USD-1.9billion rover include advanced
cameras and spectrometers for
analyzing chemical composition, mineralogy and detecting
organic compounds.
NASA has sent a series of robotic vehicles to Mars -- the latest is the Curiosity rover which
launched in 2012 -- and hopes
to have people exploring the
surface of Earth’s neighboring
planet by the 2030s.