Rocket Health appoints Dr. Kitulu as board chairperson and Stephen Dimba Odhiambo as Chief Commercial Officer Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Leading telemedicine provider Rocket Health has taken a step to raising its level on the corporate governance front by appointing Kenyan health expert Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, as the chairperson of …
Read More »With a $587 million boost from Global Fund, Uganda to take Malaria battle to homes
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda is set to make a major shift in the battle against malaria, with focus turning from treatment to prevention, especially at household level. Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine said government has agreed with the Global Fund and other partners to put …
Read More »How people photos are used to depict disease
Is there bias against people of colour in global health publications? Kampala, Uganda | Esmita Charani & Marc Mendelson | Photography is a powerful tool in storytelling and scientific communication. But it can also cause harm when used unethically. We started to realise how photographs can send the wrong message when we were …
Read More »Live longer with physical activity
1-minute bursts during daily tasks could help you Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization (WHO) states that at least 1 in 4 adults do not get enough physical activity. Inactivity and sedentary lifestyles carry a 20% to 30% greater risk of premature death compared to more active …
Read More »EVs: Why African govts are reducing tax on eco-friendly cars
A number of African governments are introducing tax cuts and other incentives to boost the e-mobility industry and drive the demand for eco-friendly vehicles Tunis, Tunisia | BIRD AGENCY | Tunisia has become the latest country to introduce e-mobility incentives as governments across Africa bet on tax breaks and other …
Read More »NMS seeks Shs298 billion to counter decline in donor funding
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Medical Stores (NMS) is seeking Shs 298 billion to offset the projected funding gaps arising from the declining donor funding. NMS General Manager, Moses Kamabare said that since donor agencies such as PEPFAR that have for long provided essential medicines such as …
Read More »Botswana reports new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5
Gaborone, Botswana | Xinhua | Botswana has discovered the new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, said a government official in a press release issued on Friday. “Only one case of the Omicron sublineage XBB.1.5 has so far been detected in Botswana,” said Malepa Dibonwa, the acting spokesperson in Botswana’s Ministry of Health. The new …
Read More »Health workers oppose stamp duty
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Health workers are questioning a move by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to charge them an annual fee of 100,000 Shillings in stamp duty. The tax came into force in 2022 with the amendment of the Stamp Duty Act. According to Dr. Katumba Ssentongo, the …
Read More »World praises Uganda for quick stop of Ebola
‘It’s the example that the African continent needs to follow’ COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | Shortly after Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health declared Uganda free from Ebola on Jan.11, her colleague, Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma; the Acting Director General of the African Centres for Disease Control and …
Read More »Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits: A strong weapon against malaria deaths
SPECIAL FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | Malaria remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases, causing high morbidity and mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, malaria is endemic in approximately 95% of the country, affecting over 90% of the population up to 20% of all hospital deaths. Malaria is …
Read More »