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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one the most prevalent eye diseases. In the late stage of the disease, newly formed vessels in the retina alter its structure, which leads to blurry and distorted vision. This condition is called wet AMD and if left untreated, it can lead to severe and irreversible vision loss. Among the elderly, wet AMD is a leading cause of vision loss.

Mutations of the gene encoding dystrophins have long been known to cause the debilitating muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which affects one in every 5,000 children born, mostly boys. People with the condition will usually only live into their 20s or 30s.

If you thought the waters of data-driven research couldn’t get any murkier, you haven’t met the team of scientists studying our sewage.

An earlier first birth, a higher number of live births, and starting periods at a younger age are all linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems in women, according to new research.

Black women of childbearing age were twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure when compared with their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

THE Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has called on Government to strive and endeavour to drastically reduce the ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor by addressing the high cost of living for all Zambians.

And the ZCCB says it is alarming and shameful for the country to have recorded more than 31, 000 divorces in the courts of law in the year 2022 and this is a sign of moral decay in societies.
Fr. Francis Mukosa, the ZCCB general secretary has called on the country’s leadership to heed the cries of the poor and less privileged in society by ensuring that the wealth God has blessed the country is equitably shared among citizens.
In his 2023 Lenten message, Fr Mukosa said for the country to find a lasting solution to its economic quagmire, all stakeholders were expected to play their role in an honest and passionate manner.
Fr. Mukosa has said that this Lenten season, the government should heed and listen to the cries of the poor and all less privileged persons because they were the most vulnerable to economic disorders.
“In practical terms, this entails that all the wealth that God has blessed this country with have to be shared equitably among citizens, the gap between the rich and the poor drastically reduced, the high cost of living worked on and the standard of living for all Zambians lifted.
In order for the nation to find a lasting solution to its economic quagmire all stakeholders are expected to play their role in an honest and passionate manner,” Fr. Mukosa said. Fr. Mukosa has called every leadership and every system of governance to promote common good so as to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged.
And Fr. Mukosa, says moral decay is a reality and that it is alarming and shameful for the country to have recorded more than 31, 000 divorces in the courts of law last year and this is a sign of moral decay in societies. He said it had been established that one of the major causes of family breakdown in Zambia was lack of proper communication among couples.
He has advised that couples should begin to abstain from getting glued to television sets and mobile phones so that they could have time to communicate and listen to each other as well as engage in communal prayers.
Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter for which the faithful dedicate specific time to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. “It is common knowledge today among Zambians that moral decay is a reality and a serious national concern. Thus, Lenten period understood as a time for repentance and conversion can be a privileged moment for the nation to uphold national values and principles. This calls for concerted efforts in bringing about change of mindset and behaviour,” Fr. Mukosa said.
Fr. Mukosa has called all to observe lent as a moment of deep and thoughtful conversations especially among family members.
“It is alarming and shameful to record more than 31, 000 divorce cases in the courts of law in 2022. It has also been established that one of the major causes of family breakdown in Zambia is lack of proper communication.
Therefore, abstaining from gluing to the TV screen or mobile phones as a form of fasting can actually help families to have time to listen to each other and engage in communal prayers,” he said.

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney have developed a new device that can detect and analyze cancer cells from blood samples, enabling doctors to avoid invasive biopsy surgeries, and to monitor treatment progress.

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has ordered the demolition of all structures blocking the waterways and causing floods in most parts of Lusaka.
The head of State has directed that structures constructed on waterways and causing flooding should be demolished as soon as possible to cure the perennial flooding in Lusaka City, thereby causing the displacement of families.
The President says government is in a hurry to correct unplanned construction of structures as it had negatively impacted on the people in the affected areas and posing a health hazard to families.
Speaking when he toured the flooded areas in Lusaka’s Kabwata Wards, the President emphasised that the decision to demolish structures blocking waterways was based on the best interest of the people and that there were no politics involved.  The head of State has further directed the local authorities to engage with the owners of the structures to find the best solution to the challenge of flooding in Lusaka communities. President Hichilema warned that he would have no option but to invoke his presidential powers and declare the demolition of the structures if his directives were not going to be heeded to and comply.
Flooding has been recorded in some parts of Lusaka where waterways have been blocked by structures.
President Hichilema toured flooded areas in Lusaka to check on the status of the situation in Kabwata, Kanyama and Matero constituencies.
President Hichilema took time to interact with the residents in communities most of whom were ecstatic and euphoric upon seeing the head of State in their communities, having seen him before the 2021 general elections.

ZANIS

ZAMBIA’S under-20 national soccer team is in a do die fixture today when they face off with Tunisia in a Group C fixture of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

After struggling with a 1-1 stalemate against Benin in the first fixture and a 2-0 defeat by Gambia, Zambia are desperate for a win to progress to the knock out stage of the youth AFCON.

The make or break fixture scheduled for the Cairo International Stadium presents the junior Chipolopolo the opportunity to recover from the disappointing defeat to The Gambia.

Tunisia and Zambia are on par with one point each while Benin has two points with the already qualified The Gambia dominating the group with six points from wins over Zambia and Tunisia.

“We know it is not going to be an easy game but we are prepared and the boys are looking forward to this game. They know that if we lose we go back home and if we win we progress to the next round,” Under-20 national team coach Chisi Mbewe said.

And goal keeper Jeban Tembo said the team was geared and ready to collect their first win which is crucial to make the next round.

After the shambolic display against Gambia in the previous fixture, Mbewe will hope that his charges will rise to the occasion to avoid being eliminated from the tournament without a victory.

Meanwhile, Zambia under-23 men’s national team coach Oswald Mutapa has unveiled a 30-man provisional squad that will face Egypt in next month’s final 2023 U-23 AFCON qualifier matches.

Zambia who qualified to the last round after beating Sierra Leone 2-1 on aggregate will play Egypt in the first leg of the decider on March 20 before hosting the North Africans in the return fixture scheduled for March 26.

Mutapa, who doubles as Nkwazi FC head coach has summoned Chibombo United striker Kelvin Mubanga in the squad consisting of players from the National Division one league and the FAZ Super League.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS – Francis Mwansa (Trident), Jairos Tembo (FC Muza), Mukuka Chilufya (Aguila Stars), Patrick Chooma (Prison Leopards)

DEFENDERS – John Chishimba (Zesco United), Emmanuel Bwalya Chembe, Andrew Phiri, Mathews Chabala (all Nchanga Rangers), Nexala Mvula, Martin Zulu (both Chambishi), Ronald Chanda Chileshe (FC Muza), William Kamanga (Lumwana Radiants), Christopher Katongo (Kansanshi Dynamos), Sharpi Chikondi Njobvu (Green Eagles), Brian Musema (Jumulo)

MIDFIELDERS – Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Martin Zulu (Chambishi), Patrick Gondwe (Nkana), Joshua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Golden Mashata, John Kosamu (both Green Buffaloes), Peter Phiri (Morning Stars), Wilson Chisala, Dalitso Phiri (both Zanaco), Mwiya Mwiya (FC Muza)

STRIKERS – Andrew Phiri (FC Muza), Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Enock Sakala Jr (Zesco United), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Jonathan Munalula (Forest Rangers), Kelvin Mubanga (Chibombo United).

By NATION REPORTER

LEADER of the Opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile has called on Government to move swiftly to prevent a strike by resolving the standoff between doctors and Government.

Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) general secretary Roy Tolopu warned that medical doctors would go on a nationwide strike by March 1, 2023 following their omission by government from the 10.5 percent salary increment for civil servants.

Civil Servants Allied Workers Union of Zambia Union President Davy Chiyobe was quoted in the media stating that the 10.5 percent increment did not carter for Doctors because they were at management level.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Mundubile who is also PF Presidential Candidate said Government should not neglect existing staff by improving their conditions of service even after employing 11 000 health workers.

He said it would be meaningless to employ 11 000 workers but senior doctors that supervise them go on strike because of poor conditions of service.

Mr. Mundubile said the fact that the conditions of service were negotiated, it was time that they were implemented.

“We also need to add that after employing 11 000 health workers, it was hoped that the decision would see improved service delivery in public health care facilities,” he said.

Mr. Mundubile said he had received reports from some parts of the country that there was still a shortage of staff in health care facilities.

“We begin to wonder what exactly is going on. Not long ago, we were grappling with the shortage of drugs and there is now an improvement in the supply of drugs but what we are getting now is shortage of personnel. It is a source of concern and we hope that Government will quickly look into it,” he said.