DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURAL CONNECTIVITY: CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE STATES INVOLVED

Belt and Road initiative (BRI) is the revival of the ancient Silk Road. From the historical analysis of the ancient Silk Road, it could be easily understood that nations around the Silk Road have cultural assimilation fostering mutual cohesion. In this context, BRI was proposed by the Xi Jinping administration, which provides a ground for a very old idea of bringing Eurasians under the development phenomenon for achieving common economic growth goals. Indeed, BRI is not only initiated to promote trade, but it will also increase multidimensional cooperation among nations, such as a cultural and educational exchange. It will bring closer not only the regional countries but even the continents to each other. Moreover, BRI will bring new enthusiasm to the old idea, and provides grounds for development and achieving common goals between the states. BRI is deemed to be a game changer for the states involved and China itself.

The Prevalence of Postoperative Pain Following Day Surgery in the First 48 Hours at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Introduction: Day case surgery services are increasing all over the world. The prevalence of postoperative pain after day surgery is found to be high ranging from 17% to 60%. Little is known about the prevalence of postoperative pain, in Kenya and East Africa, after day case surgeries. Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of postoperative pain after day surgery at Aga Khan University (AKUH), Nairobi, to determine the severity/intensity of postoperative pain following day case surgery, and to determine the influence of anxiety and worry on the patients report on postoperative pain. Study site: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Study design: Prospective, non-interventional study. Study population: All patients aged between 18 and 68 years scheduled for day surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Sample size: One hundred and fifty patients. Duration of the study: This is a prospective study that was carried out between March and June 2009. Methodology: Consecutive sampling was carried out until sample size was achieved. The purpose and nature of the study was explained to patients before informed consent was obtained. They were explained how to score their pain by using a visual analogue scale prior to the surgical procedure. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the patients. Follow up information was obtained through interviews over the telephone at 24 and 48 hours, after discharge from the DSU. Results: The prevalence of postoperative pain after day care surgery was found to be 58% within 30mins postoperatively, 55.3% after 24 hours, and 34.7% after 48 hours following surgery. The prevalence of moderate to severe postoperative pain was 9.6%. This study has shown that the association between postoperative pain and anxiety was significant at 24 hour and 48 hour follow up. However such association with worry was significant only at 48 hour follow up. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of postoperative pain after day surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi was noted to be different from what has been reported in the literature. The prevalence of moderate and severe pain however, is less than reported in the literature.