Thursday, 19 January 2012

Indian TB

Indian TB cases 'can't be cured'

Some strains are becoming resistant to antibiotics

Tuberculosis which appears to be totally resistant to antibiotic treatment has been reported for the first time by Indian doctors.

Concern over drug-resistant strains of TB is growing, with similar 'incurable' TB emerging in Italy and Iran.

Doctors in Mumbai said 12 patients had a "totally drug resistant" form of the infection, and three have died.

The Indian Health Ministry is investigating the cases and has sent a team of doctors to Mumbai.

TB is one of the world's biggest killers, second only to HIV among infectious diseases.

Normally a patient with TB is given a six to nine month course of antibiotics to eradicate it.

However, new strains of the bacterium have developed which are increasingly resistant to the antibiotics most commonly used to treat it.

Partially drug-resistant TB can now found in countries across the world, and "multi-drug resistant" strains affect countries such as Russia and China.

'Serious threat'

The Indian reports will fuel concerns over the ability of doctors to contain the disease in years to come.

“Start Quote

Anytime we see something like this, we better get on top of it before it becomes a more widespread problem”

Dr Kenneth CastroCenters for Disease Control

The doctors at the Hinduja National Hospital in Mumbai who discovered it said they had treated patients for up to two years with a battery of drugs, to no avail.

The patients came from slum areas of the city, they said, where close contact between people meant further spread was likely.

The American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that the Indian strain did appear to be completely resistant.

Dr Kenneth Castro, director of its Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, said: "Anytime we see something like this, we better get on top of it before it becomes a more widespread problem."

Patients who do not finish their lengthy course of treatment also present the bacterium with the perfect environment for developing further resistance.

However, there have been repeated calls for the pharmaceutical industry to make more efforts to develop fresh antibiotics.

TB

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs
It is transmitted via droplets from the lungs of people with the active form of the disease
Symptoms of TB include coughing, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats
Tuberculosis is usually treatable with a course of antibiotics

Dr Ruth Mcnerney, a senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a trustee of charity TB Alert, said the new cases represented a "serious threat" to global efforts to control TB.

"What we're seeing is probably just the tip of the iceberg. We don't know how widespread this is because so few people are tested for drug resistance."

She said the high prevalence of TB in India, coupled with high population density within its cities, meant that the new type of TB could be a bigger problem than previous "totally resistant" strains.

"It's going to take a massive effort and change in political will to get to grips with this - not just from the Indian government but from everyone else. This is a global problem, not just an Indian one."

Depression drugs ‘causing falls’

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in the over-65s

Elderly people with dementia are more likely to suffer falls if they are given anti-depressants by care home staff, a study claims.

Many dementia patients also suffer from depression and drugs known as selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed.

But the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reports that the risk of injuries from falls was tripled.

The Alzheimer's Society called for more research into alternative treatments.

The risk of falls following treatment with older anti-depressants is well established, as the medication can cause side effects such as dizziness and unsteadiness.

It had been hoped that a move to newer SSRI-type drugs would reduce this problems, but the latest research, from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, appears to show the reverse.

'Worrying'

Dr Carolyn Sterke recorded the daily drug use and records of falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period.

The average age of the residents was 82, and the records suggested that 152 of them had suffered a total of 683 falls.

The consequences of falls were relatively high, with 220 resulting in injuries including hip fractures and other broken bones - and one resident died following a fall.

“Start Quote

More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed”

Professor Clive BallardAlzheimer's Society

The risk of having an injury-causing fall was three times higher in residents taking SSRIs compared with those not taking the drug, and this risk rose further if the patient was being given sedative drugs as well.

Dr Sterke said that these risks needed to be taken into account when assessing whether anti-depressants were required.

She said: "Physicians should be cautious in prescribing SSRIs to older people with dementia, even at low doses."

Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer's Society, said it was "worrying" that such a commonly prescribed anti-depressant was causing increased risk.

He said: "It is important to highlight any aspect of care that might be causing risk to a person with dementia. We want to ensure that people with the condition are always receiving the best care possible.

"More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed.

"One in three people over 65 will die with dementia yet research into the condition continues to be drastically underfunded. We must invest now.'

Friday, 13 January 2012

meat 'linked to pancreatic cancer

Processed meat 'linked to pancreatic cancer'A link between eating processed meat, such as bacon or sausages, and pancreatic cancer has been suggested by researchers in Sweden.

They said eating an extra 50g of processed meat, approximately one sausage, every day would increase a person's risk by 19%.

But the chance of developing the rare cancer remains low.

The World Cancer Research Fund suggested the link may be down to obesity.

Eating red and processed meat has already been linked to bowel cancer. As a result the UK government recommended in 2011 that people eat no more than 70g a day.

Prof Susanna Larsson, who conducted the study at the Karolinska Institute, told the BBC that links to other cancers were "quite controversial".

She added: "It is known that eating meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer, it's not so much known about other cancers."

The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, analysed data from 11 trials and 6,643 patients with pancreatic cancer.Increased risk

It found that eating processed meat increased the risk of pancreatic cancer. The risk increased by 19% for every 50g someone added to their daily diet. Having an extra 100g would increase the risk by 38%.Prof Larsson said: "Pancreatic cancer has poor survival rates. So as well as diagnosing it early, it's important to understand what can increase the risk of this disease."

She recommended that people eat less red meat.

Cancer Research UK said the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in a lifetime was "comparatively small" - one in 77 for men and one in 79 for women.

Sara Hiom, the charity's information director, said: "The jury is still out as to whether meat is a definite risk factor for pancreatic cancer and more large studies are needed to confirm this, but this new analysis suggests processed meat may be playing a role."

However, she pointed out that smoking was a much greater risk factor.

The World Cancer Research Fund has advised people to completely avoid processed meat.

Dr Rachel Thompson, the fund's deputy head of science, said: "We will be re-examining the factors behind pancreatic cancer later this year as part of our Continuous Update Project, which should tell us more about the relationship between cancer of the pancreas and processed meat.

"There is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and this study may be an early indication of another factor behind the disease.eating red and processed meat and your chances of developing bowel cancer, which is why WCRF recommends limiting intake of red meat to 500g cooked weight a week and avoid processed meat altogether."

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Routine aspirin 'may cause harm'

Healthy people who take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke could be doing more harm than good, warn researchers.

An analysis of more than 100,000 patients, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded the risk of internal bleeding was too high.

The UK-led study said only people with a history of heart problems or stroke should take the tablets.

Experts said any decision should be made with a doctor.

Aspirin helps people who have had a heart attack or stroke. It prevents blood clots from forming by preventing cells, known as platelets, from sticking together. By reducing the number of clots formed, the tablets reduce the risk of another heart attack or stroke.

There have also been suggestions that the drug can prevent some cancers, however, the drug is known to increase the chance of internal bleeding, including bleeds on the brain.

The discussion has been whether at-risk or even healthy people should also take aspirin.

Official guidelines were issued in 2005 by the Joint British Societies, which includes the British Cardiac Society, British Hypertension Society and The Stroke Association. It recommended 75 mg of aspirin a day for high risk patients over the age of 50. The Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin said in 2008 that preventative aspirin should be abandoned unless there was already evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Good or bad?

Researchers analysed data from nine trials, from a total of 102,621 patients.

They said that while there was a 20% reduction in non-fatal heart attacks in people taking aspirin, there was no reduction in deaths from heart attack, stroke or cancer.

Meanwhile the risk of potentially life threatening internal bleeding increased by 30%.Prof Kausik Ray, from St George's, University of London, told the BBC: "If you treat 73 people for about six years you will get one of these non-trivial bleeds.

"If you treat about 160 people for the same period of time, you're preventing one heart attack that probably wouldn't have been fatal anyway.

"It suggests that the net benefit for aspirin is not there, it certainly doesn't prolong life. If you think about it the net benefit, actually there is net harm.

The study followed patients for an average of six years. An analysis led by Prof Peter Rothwell, from Oxford University, suggested that regularly taking aspirin reduced the risk of a series of cancers, when patients were followed for much longer.

Prof Rothwell said the new study was "very nicely done, but I don't think it develops [the argument] much further".

He added: "It really just emphasises the need for a more detailed analysis of how risks change over time."

Natasha Stewart, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Aspirin can help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke among those with known heart disease, and this group of people should continue to take aspirin as prescribed by their doctor.

"Our advice is that people who don't have symptomatic or diagnosed heart disease shouldn't take aspirin because the risk of internal bleeding may outweigh the benefits.

"If you're taking prescribed aspirin and have any concerns, don't simply stop taking it. Always talk to your doctor first."

Sotiris Antoniou, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "People who buy aspirin should consult with their pharmacist to make sure that it is appropriate for them based on their individual likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke and their likelihood of experiencing a side effect such as stomach ulceration.

"If you are already taking aspirin, don't simply stop taking it, speak to the pharmacist about your individual circumstances."

breast implants

PIP breast implants: Pressure mounts on Lansley

Around 40,000 women in the UK have been fitted with PIP implants

The Health Secretary for England, Andrew Lansley, is facing calls for more decisive action to help women concerned about PIP breast implants.

The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS) says women are more confused and anxious than ever.
Mr Lansley says private clinics that fitted implants have a "moral duty" to remove them.
But IHAS director Sally Taber says its members are "as much a victim of this fraud as the NHS and the patients".
In a statement on behalf of the trade body - which represents many of the companies involved - she said: "If there is any moral or ethical obligation outstanding it lies with the government's regulatory agency, the MHRA.
"But the overriding issue here is that it is in everyone's interest to work together to ensure that patients are treated with compassion."
Around 40,000 women in the UK have been fitted with PIP implants.
The implants by French firm Poly Implant Prothese were banned last year after they were found to contain a non-medical-grade silicone filler.
"Unclear" On Wednesday the Harley Medical Group - which fitted 13,900 women with the implants between September 2001 and March 2010 - said it would not replace them free of charge.
Its chairman Mel Braham said the company didn't have the resources, surgeons or operating facilities necessary.
Mr Lansley said the NHS would pay to remove, but not replace, implants if a private clinic refused or no longer existed.
But speaking in the House of Commons, he said it was not fair for the taxpayer to foot the bill and that if the NHS was forced to remove an implant "the government would pursue private clinics to seek recovery of our costs".
Ms Taber said whilst the intention was to offer guidance, Mr Lansley had confused patients.
She said: "With the current government position remaining unclear, patients want to know the timeline for the further investigations into PIP implants by the MHRA."
She went on to complain that IHAS has been unable to meet officials to discuss a solution, something the Department of Health strongly denies

Monday, 9 January 2012

neglect at Partridge Care Centre in Harlow

Evidence of neglect at Partridge Care Centre in Harlow

uncoveredIn August 2011 Partridge Care Centre, in Harlow, was at the centre of a police inquiry after three people were taken to hospital with "diabetes related problems".Two women in their 80s died, although Essex Police dropped the investigation saying there was no evidence of "any relevant criminal offences".

The home's owner Rushcliffe Care Limited acknowledged there had been problems in the past, but claimed it had taken steps to make sure residents' "health and well-being are paramount".

But documents seen by BBC Essex show there were serious problems at the home before the police investigation.

Partridge Care Centre is a residential nursing home specialising in looking after people with a range of neurological conditions.

It is run by Rushcliffe Care, which also owns 23 other homes.

The centre has rooms for 117 residents, although at the moment it is less than half full, and presently employs about 120 staff.

Former worker at the home Graham Flack said he had witnessed abuse and neglect of residents during his time there.

"There was an incident where a certain member of staff was sitting on a resident, who was quite challenging… I would say restraining someone like you see on telly via the police," he said.

"At the end of the day no-one deserves to be held or pushed in any form or manner. It was not nice, not nice."

Lesley Minchin's mother Eileen Jarvis suffered from dementia and required specialist care.

She moved into the home in February 2011, with instructions that she should not be left alone because she was likely to fall.

According to a letter from the centre's manager to the family, Mrs Jarvis was left unattended during a shift change.

She got up, fell and broke her hip. It was two hours before staff at the home called the emergency services.

Mrs Minchin said she had got to the home at the same time as the paramedics.

'Screamed out'

"She was screaming out in pain when I arrived there and they were trying to ask her where the pain was," Mrs Minchin said.

"She said she didn't know but was hurting. When they touched her leg, she just screamed out."

Mrs Minchin claimed many of the problems at the home were caused by a lack of employees.

"The staff, on the whole, were very, very good. There just wasn't enough of them," she said.

The Care Quality Commission has carried out a series of inspections at Partridge Care Centre since May.

In the most recent report published in December, the health watchdog said it had minor concerns over staffing levels.

"Overall we found that there were sufficient numbers of staff available in the home, however there was a lack of effective leadership and deployment due to the large numbers of agency staff working there."

The CQC also found failings in four of the five basic standards during this inspection, including concerns about whether residents were safe in the home and whether they are receiving appropriate treatment.

Written warnings

BBC Essex has seen a report written after a surprise visit to the home by two managers in May 2011.

They found that several staff were asleep while on duty, a serious disciplinary offence.

The managers found one resident lying on an unmade bed that was smeared with faeces. Another was found sitting on the floor and had soiled themselves.

Other residents were found wandering around on their own, yet more were found in bed fully clothed.

The building was said to have smelt of urine and one of the units had no lights on.

Further documents show that some of the staff involved were only given written warnings.

An internal audit carried out by staff at Partridge Care Centre in July found that most of the residents' rooms were dirty.

Of the 21 homes run by Rushcliffe Care Limited, eight of them are failing at least one of the basic standards expected by the CQC.

'Unsubstantiated allegations'

According to its accounts, in the past year the company posted a £1.6m profit.

In a statement, the company said: "Following a series of unfortunate locally mismanaged events at Partridge Care Centre over the past nine months, Rushcliffe Care Group have taken measures so that the health and wellbeing of the centres' residents are paramount.

"We are unable to comment on individual unsubstantiated allegations, which have been made, but we... take all complaints and allegations seriously and when brought to our attention they are dealt with promptly and fairly."

Essex County Council said it had suspended the placement of residents at the home after the hospital referrals related to diabetes in August.

In a statement, Ann Naylor, cabinet member for adult health, said: "The formal suspension of placements at Partridge Care Centre will remain in place, in consultation with Rushcliffe Care management, until such time that partners are fully satisfied that sustainable improvements in the wellbeing and care of residents have been achieved."

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Kindoki Witchcraft in South London

News: Kindoki Witchcraft in South London

The BBC Radio 4 Today programme produced a remarkable investigative report on Kindoki (Witchcraft) that may have led to the death of a man, Nzuzi Mayingi, found hanging from a tree in Crystal Palace Park in July 2005. The man was part of a 400 strong congregation of a Congolese Christian Cult led by Pastor Dieudonne Tukala who also lives in South London.

It was alleged that Tukala declared women and children to be possessed by the devil. This led to one man beating and branding his 9 year old with a steam iron and led Nzuzi to commit suicide. The BBC report showed how the children were terrorised into admitting they were possessed. If they refused it was said that Tukala encouraged the families to send the children back to the Congo where he could pray for them to die.

Nzuzi Mayingi and his pregnant wife and son arrived in the UK as asylum seekers in 2002. They began attending Pastor Dieudonne Tukala's church in North London. Tukula diagnosed the wife, boy and unborn child to be Kindoki (possessed). Nzuzi believed this and, according to a church elder was encouraged by Tukala to beat his family and witnessed the child's wounds. Nzuzi eventually threw his family out onto the street. Members of the congregation pursued the wife with abusive calls calling them witches "who will choke on your dead husband's flesh".

Within 18 months Nzumi was dead. The family have fled to the north of England. The BBC investigation detailed other allegations of Tukala taking money, jewellery and credit cards.

4 hours after the BBC broadcast Scotland Yard said officers from its Child Abuse Investigation Command had arrested a man, 40, in south London on suspicion of inciting child cruelty.

Last June three people in another Kindoki case were convicted at the Old Bailey on Friday on child cruelty charges, after an eight-year-old African girl accused of being a witch was tortured in East London. This is part of growing concern in London by the exploitation of vulnerable Congolese and Angolan refugees by Christian fundamentalist evangelical cults.

An MP3 of the BBC broadcast can be downloaded
Old Bailey (June 2005) case BBC report

sdg 12/01/06

witch torture

Kristy Bamu 'witch torture' couple 'had attacked before'

Kristy Bamu, 15, from Paris, was found dead in Newham, east London, on Christmas Day in 2010.

His sister Magalie Bamu and her boyfriend, Eric Bikubi, both 28 and living in Newham, deny murder.

The Old Bailey heard they made a woman cut her hair to "release the witchcraft".

Prosecutor Brian Altman, QC, said Naomi Ilonga, 19, was a family friend who stayed with the couple for a month in August 2008.

He said Mr Bikubi told Magalie Bamu to throw anything away that Naomi had touched, including articles of clothing and pots, pans and plates.

"Bikubi did not allow them to eat for three days and told Naomi to pray. He prayed to release Naomi's 'spiritual soul'.

"They stayed and slept together in the living room for the three days but prayed all night and slept little.

"Naomi had to consent to the cutting of her hair, which was long and of which she was so proud, to release the witchcraft."

It was also alleged in court that Ms Ilonga had also been grabbed and slapped hard on the back.

'Armoury of weapons'

On Thursday, the court heard that Kristy Bamu had 101 injuries and died from drowning and being beaten with a metal bar.

Prosecutors talked of acts they described as "depraved", "wicked" and "cruel".

Kristy and his siblings were visiting the couple for Christmas, but Mr Bikubi had accused the boy and two of his siblings of witchcraft.

Kristy Bamu and his siblings were visiting London from Paris during the Christmas holidays

All three were beaten and other children were forced to join in the attacks. But it was Kristy who became the focus of Mr Bikubi's attention, the prosecution said.

The teenager was said to be in such pain after days of being hit with an "armoury of weapons" including sticks, pliers, a metal bar, hammer and chisel, that he begged to die.

Jurors were told that Kristy died when he was "too exhausted" to resist and keep his head above water when Mr Bikubi put him in a bath. Mr Bikubu realised too late Kristy was not moving.

Mr Bikubi has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a plea not accepted by the prosecution.

He has also admitted assaulting Kristy's siblings.

Ms Bamu denies the murder charge, as well as two charges of causing actual bodily harm to her other siblings.

Mr Altman said she had taken part in the abuse and had been "stoking the fire of violence".

The defendants are originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where witchcraft or sorcery - called kindoki - is practised in some churches, said Mr Altman.

The trial continues on Monday.

Demonic Possession, Oppression & Exorcism

A West African / Fundamentalist
Christian syncretistic religion in the UK

Sponsored link.

Dr Richard Hoskins of King's College, London, UK is a consultant to the Metropolitan Police on religiously-motivated crime. He testified in 2005-JUN at a trial of three adults charged with the physical abuse of a ten year old child, whom we will call "AB."
In this case, a West African woman had brought her niece, AB, to Britain from Angola in 2002 by passing her off as her own daughter. The girl's actual parents are believed to be dead. The aunt, the girl, and two other adults lived together in an apartment in Hackney, East London. An eight-year-old boy who lived with AB accused her of attacking him in the night with witchcraft. The adults agreed that the 10-year old girl was a witch and practiced an evil form of witchcraft. It is quite possible that the adults were terrified of the harm that they felt AB would do to them or to others.
"Witchcraft" is a term with over a dozen different meanings, some mutually exclusive. Definitions range from evil sorcery to Wicca, a benign, earth centered religion. In this case, the word is used to refer to a blend of evil sorcery and black magic -- a practice intended to harm or even kill other humans.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC):

	Dr. Hoskins said that: "...belief in 'ndoki' - the [Lingala] word for witchcraft - is widespread in West Africa and among some immigrant communities in London, fuelled by a massive growth in small fundamentalist Christian churches. The abusers in this case - who worshipped at such a church in Hackney - may have believed they were carrying out a form of exorcism, driving out evil spirits. All of the accused are committed Fundamentalist Christians.
	"Correspondent Angus Crawford said community workers believed the growth of 'breakaway churches' could be one possible cause of the abuse. A minority of these preach a powerful blend of traditional African beliefs and evangelical Christianity."
	One of the accused, Sita Kisanga, "said the girl was possessed by an evil spirit, known as kindoki. 'In our community, kindoki happens. It is killing people. It is doing bad things,' she said." Subsequently, when interviewed on the radio, Kisanga said that "Kindoki is something you have to be scared of because in our culture kindoki can kill you and destroy your life completely. Kindoki can make you barren. Sometimes kindoki can ruin you chances of staying in this country. The authorities will arrest you and deport you and kindoki can be part of it."
	Another of the accused is reported as believing that AB, as a witch, transported herself to Africa during the nighttime to do bad things.

According to the News.telegraph:

Kisanga was a regular at a church called Combat Spirituel, based in Dalston, East London. Police found notes which suggested that she had been to a prayer meeting about the little girl's possession. A diary entry found at her home read: 'On retreat there was indeed a prophecy that [the girl] has got ndoki'."

Children affected by what is known as "ndoki" were usually treated as suffering from an "external" affliction that could be dealt with by a curative medicine, without violence. However, the beliefs of some fundamentalist Christian sects in "internal" possession and the need to exorcise evil forces had mixed with traditional beliefs to create incidents in which children were beaten to be cured. "The exorcisms are usually confrontational, much more aggressive," Mr Hoskins said.

One BBC article showed a drawing of the girl with 43 scars on her body where she was cut.
There are allegations that the three adults hoped that an exorcism would drive out the demons and end the danger that the girl represented to the adults. An exorcism required the use of extreme physical pain in order to force the demons to leave AB. The girl testified that the adults slapped, punched and kicked her repeatedly. One pushed a kitchen knife into her chest until it drew blood. She told police, "It's because my auntie says I have witchcraft. She dances and laughs when she hits me." AB was beaten with belt buckles and a high-heeled shoe. She was only fed tea and bread. The adults seemed particularly concerned that the girl would practice her evil powers at nighttime. So they woke her up twice and rubbed chili-peppers into her eyes. They forced her into a large plastic bag, allegedly to "throw her away for good" by drowning her in a nearby river. But they changed their mind at the last moment.
She was discovered on a cold November morning, covered in cuts and bruises, with swollen eyes, on the steps to her block of apartments. According to the person who found her, she seemed "freezing cold and terrified."

Is this case unique?

According to the BBC: "Dr Hoskins says there are a growing number of reports of children being abused as a result of accusations of witchcraft and social services are currently investigating four other almost identical cases - although he says this may be only the 'tip of an iceberg'."
Detective Superintendent Chris Bourlet, of the Metropolitan Police leads Project Violet. a program to prevent religiously-motivated child abuse. Bourlet said: "the aim will be prevention, working with churches and communities - not to challenge their beliefs but to raise their awareness of child abuse." A group of about five officers will gather intelligence on the problem and try and persuade churches to follow child protection procedures.
There may be similarities between the current case and the abuse of Victoria Climbe. Her relatives believed that she was possessed by evil spirits. She was subjected to physical abuse to drive out her demons. She was eventually murdered. Dr Richard Hoskins: "It was sheer chance that this little girl [AB] was rescued in time. If she hadn't been then the injuries and abuse would in all probability have escalated and she could well have ended up as the next Victoria Climbie."

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

" 'Witch' child abuse jury sent out," BBC News, 2005-JUN-01, at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
James Westhead, "Abuse case sparks new fears," BBC News, 2005-JUN-03, at:http://news.bbc.co.uk/
"Abuser speaks of witch belief," BBC News, 2005-JUN-04, at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
"Witchcraft case sparks abuse fear," BBC News, 2005-JUN-04, at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
John Steele, "Aunt helped to torture girl, 8, for being a witch," News.telegraph, 2005-APR-06, at: http://news.telegraph.co.uk/
Vikram Dodd, "Police investigate religious links after witchcraft abuse of child, 8," Guardian Unlimited, 2005-JUN-04, at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

mengele plus

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Indian TB

Indian TB cases 'can't be cured'

“Start Quote

TB

Depression drugs ‘causing falls’

“Start Quote

Friday, 13 January 2012

meat 'linked to pancreatic cancer

Processed meat 'linked to pancreatic cancer'A link between eating processed meat, such as bacon or sausages, and pancreatic cancer has been suggested by researchers in Sweden.

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Routine aspirin 'may cause harm'

breast implants

PIP breast implants: Pressure mounts on Lansley

Monday, 9 January 2012

neglect at Partridge Care Centre in Harlow

Evidence of neglect at Partridge Care Centre in Harlow

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Kindoki Witchcraft in South London

witch torture

Kristy Bamu 'witch torture' couple 'had attacked before'

Demonic Possession, Oppression & Exorcism

A West African / Fundamentalist
Christian syncretistic religion in the UK

Is this case unique?

References used:

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More patients in Scotland given antidepressants

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Indian TB cases 'can't be cured'

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Friday, 13 January 2012

Processed meat 'linked to pancreatic cancer'A link between eating processed meat, such as bacon or sausages, and pancreatic cancer has been suggested by researchers in Sweden.

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Routine aspirin 'may cause harm'

PIP breast implants: Pressure mounts on Lansley

Monday, 9 January 2012

Evidence of neglect at Partridge Care Centre in Harlow

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Kristy Bamu 'witch torture' couple 'had attacked before'

Demonic Possession, Oppression & Exorcism

A West African / FundamentalistChristian syncretistic religion in the UK

Is this case unique?

Featured post

A West African / Fundamentalist
Christian syncretistic religion in the UK