Health library

Plain answers about African health.

Written for people here, checked against WHO and Africa CDC guidance. Information, not a diagnosis: if you are unwell, find the right doctor.

All Malaria Everyday illness Infections Children Women's health Long-term conditions Mental health First aid Food & nutrition Using Telafia

Everyday illness · 4 min read

Typhoid: why the test matters and how to avoid it

Typhoid is over-diagnosed from one unreliable blood test and under-prevented. Here is what is actually known.

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Everyday illness · 3 min

Diarrhoea: ORS, zinc and the hygiene that prevents it

Diarrhoea is still a leading cause of child deaths in Africa, yet two cheap treatments prevent most of them.

Emergency numbers

112National emergency 767Lagos emergency

767 works in Lagos State; 112 is the national number. Numbers change: please check locally. If a number does not connect, go straight to the nearest hospital.