Beijing, China | AFP | The coronavirus outbreak exposed “shortcomings” in China’s public healthcare system, a top health official admitted Saturday, saying that reforms are underway to improve the country’s disease prevention and control mechanisms. China has faced criticism both at home and abroad for downplaying the virus and concealing information about the outbreak when …
Read More »Hydroxychloroquine fails in largest COVID-19 drugs
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that has been touted as a game changer in treatment of Corona Virus Disease COVID-19 has failed in another trial, the biggest so far to be conducted globally. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists led by a …
Read More »Millions at risk from known diseases as focus shifts to COVID-19
Paris, France | AFP | As COVID-19 deaths climb ever higher in Europe and the United States, millions of lives are at risk in developing nations where lockdowns and overwhelmed medical systems are disrupting vital testing, vaccination and treatment for other killer diseases. The pandemic has seen unprecedented social distancing measures, …
Read More »Body of Ugandan doctor stuck in Lagos due to COVID-19 lockdown
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Relatives of the Ugandan medical doctor who died in a Nigerian hospital in Lagos early this week are stuck on how to repatriate his remains because of the corona virus lock down. Dr. Patrick Opira Molns, who was attached to The Aids Support Organization – …
Read More »COVID-19: IMF approves $491.5 Million for Uganda
Washington, United States | AFP | The IMF on Wednesday approved a sh1.8 trillion ($491.5 million) emergency loan for Uganda and another $739 million for Kenya as the countries deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Both face severe economic shocks amid efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Washington-based crisis …
Read More »Uganda’s air quality: Public must support ongoing interventions
In 2016, the U.S. Embassy in Kampala installed the first air quality standard monitor in Uganda and has continuously worked with key stakeholders to improve Uganda’s air quality Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Although the Uganda government and its partners in the private sector have recently stepped up efforts …
Read More »Primary health care in post COVID-19 era
Local Governments have a role in budgeting to promote primary health care COMMENT | OSCORD MARK OTILE | Health, as defined by the World Health Organisation in 1946, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Since the Alma-Ata …
Read More »Post COVID-19: Role of Local Govts in promotion of primary health care in Uganda
COMMENT | Oscord Mark Otile | In 1946 the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Since the The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, …
Read More »Boost health facilities to deal with future pandemics, epidemics
COMMENT | Rebecca Nalwoga Mukwaya | An epidemic is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region. A pandemic on the other hand is an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents. Pandemics and epidemics are not a new phenomena, as history has …
Read More »New Non Communicable diseases guidelines issued for clinicians, patients
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance and the Ministry of Health have set guidelines for people living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Speaking on Friday at the launch of the guidelines, Christopher Kwizera, the Chief Executive of the Uganda NCD Alliance said they have come in …
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