Beshara: Eliminating malaria
Plus: Floating operating theatres and archaeological discoveries
Egypt reached a milestone this week when the World Health Organisation certified the country free of malaria for the first time.
Malaria kills more than one million people globally every year, but Egypt has rigorously controlled the breeding of mosquitoes that spread the disease, and carried out public health programmes to eradicate the insects within its borders.
The disease has been present in the country for thousands of years. Genetic evidence of it has even been found in the mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, including Tutankhamun .
The certification gives hope that, just because something has always been a certain way, it doesn't mean it can't change for the better. I'm clinging tightly to this idea, as conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond look so bleak.
Read on for uplifting stories, from the ancient to today's brilliant young people – with 4,000-year-old discoveries in Iraq, a winner of this year's Arab Reading Challenge and a surgeon floating to the rescue to provide life-saving care.
Thank you for reading,
Taylor
PS If you need an instant smile, read this story about a stray dog becoming a viral sensation after climbing Giza's Great Pyramid
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Iraq's 4,000-year-old archaeological treasures
An excavation in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province has found hundreds of artefacts thought to be more than 4,000 years old.
The remains of mud-brick structures were discovered, containing pottery kilns and jars, metals and figurines, indicating trade in these items may have existed at the site, authorities said. Iraq is home to nearly 25,000 archaeological sites, but many have been looted or damaged during decades of war.
In the past 10 years, relative stability has meant official digs have begun again, and artefacts stolen and sold abroad are beginning to be returned. Read more about this latest discovery and how Iraq's archaeological scene is blossoming here .
Quoted
– Palestinian student Salsabil Sawalha, 17, dedicates her Arab Reading Challenge win to the children of Gaza
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Surgery for all
A surgeon on the world's largest civilian floating hospital has shared his experiences after 17 years of treating patients from sub-Saharan Africa.
Mark Shrime, international chief medical officer for Mercy Ships, told Jacqueline Fuller how an appearance on American Ninja Warrior going awry helped him find his purpose. The Lebanese-American doctor says surgery shouldn't be a luxury left until other development goals are reached.
“Surgery has often been viewed as this thing you get once you’ve figured out malnutrition and antenatal care and infectious disease, but I would never sign up to live in a country without access to surgery. None of us would. So, why do we say that it’s a luxury for everyone else?”
Read more about Mark's patients and his inspirational story here .
Snapshot
Cape Town's 30th International Kite Festival begins today, raising cash and awareness for mental health causes. This year’s theme is Hope on A String, and will see hundreds of kites – including dragons and flowers – take to the skies above the South African city's Dolphin Beach.
Take a look at this week's Beshara gallery for many more joyous photos. Spoiler alert: there is a dog doing karaoke in one of them!
Impact on Instagram
Highlights
Retired at Insurance Sector
4 周This week Beshara was an interesting read.The good news Egypt was certified from malaria free and Iraq archeology treasures was nice.Have a nice week endvto all our readers.