Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | With all eyes on the rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus, health experts fear a drop in routine vaccinations could fuel other, potentially deadlier outbreaks of diseases like measles. With nearly half of the world’s population told to stay at home, many parents are having to postpone taking their …
Read More »UK man jailed for six months for ‘virus’ police cough
London, United Kingdom | AFP | A man who coughed on a police officer and threatened to infect him with coronavirus was on Wednesday sentenced to six months in jail in Britain, a police statement said. Adam Lewis, 55, was sentenced under a specific law governing assaults against emergency workers, …
Read More »No insurance cover for Uganda’s coronavirus patients
Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | International Air Ambulance (IAA) Healthcare, a leading Health Membership Organisation in Uganda has announced that it will not cater for medical bills for any of its clients infected with coronavirus. This follows declaration of the disease as pandemic by the World Health Organisation. …
Read More »ARTS: Beauty of birds
Top conservationist art show in Kampala Kampala, Uganda | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Ugandan Ivan Yakuze who has built a globally recognised name in the niche of artists working with traditional fabric to create startling artworks has an ongoing exhibition in Kampala. Usually, Yakuze’s discerning eye for the unusual keeps everyone …
Read More »The coronavirus looks less deadly than first reported
Malaria, HIV/Aids, and tuberculosis still kill more of the world population | THE INDEPENDENT | The avalanche of coronavirus infections in the current pandemic has been accompanied by a similar avalanche of information, making it hard to sift reliable news from the noise. Among the most crucial questions is: how …
Read More »The search for anti-malaria molecule marriage
PAMAfrica consortium gets USD$50 million for new malaria therapies research | Munyaradzi Makoni | Scientists racing to stop drug resistant malaria spreading globally are optimistic they can marry the molecules needed to find effective treatments. Malaria kills 400,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Although treatments, …
Read More »GAVI: Countries can divert funds to COVID-19 efforts
Geneva, Switzerland | THE INDEPENDENT | With the COVID-19 pandemic already affecting 47 Gavi-supported countries, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has already taken new steps to help strengthen the preparedness of health systems in lower-income countries with the full support of its Board. Gavi will also be working closely with WHO, …
Read More »Coronavirus bailout
COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT TEAM | As the coronavirus pandemic ravages the globe, countries are scrambling to protect citizens financially, cushion businesses and companies, and ensure their economies do not fail from the fallout. This is because the coronavirus pandemic is not only straining the world’s health sector, businesses …
Read More »Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that he is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” he said on Twitter, posting a video message. “I am now self-isolating, …
Read More »COVID-19: Iganga baby transferred to Mulago
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | An eight-month-old-baby, one of Uganda’s 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19, has been transferred to Mulago Hospital. Ministry of Health in a statement today confirmed the baby is in stable condition, and was transferred together with its parents. MOH also confirmed than none of the …
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