Sex workers have been twice victimised, first by the virus and then by the stigma, but advocates hope the government will prioritise their safety Kampala, Uganda | ESTHER NAKKAZI | When Brian Lubega, a 30-year old resident of Kawempe in Kampala, heard a radio announcement about mpox vaccine distribution in his …
Read More »Africa’s bumpy road to vaccine independence
How continent is navigating decades-old obstacles to build robust vaccine industry ANALYSIS | The African Union has embarked on one of its most audacious health security missions: Ensuring that the continent manufacture 60% of its own vaccines by 2040. It currently manufactures a lowly 1% of the vaccines. However, since April …
Read More »More than 47 million people sign call for clean air for better health
GENEVA | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, representatives from civil society organizations, and individuals worldwide have signed a resounding call for urgent action to reduce air pollution and to protect people’s health from its devastating impacts. Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental …
Read More »New HIV prevention drug for babies
A dissolvable oral dispersible film of dolutegravir could transform treatment ANALYSIS | MELODY CHIRONDA | In the fight against HIV, one of the most vulnerable populations – newborn babies – is often overlooked. It is estimated that 120,000 new HIV infections occur in children aged 14 years and younger every year, …
Read More »PATRICK OYULU: I stepped on a ‘landmine’
COMMENT | PATRICK OYULU | In Uganda, when someone wakes up with swollen legs or mysterious pain, explanations abound. In Buganda, they’d say, “Yalinye Etalo,” meaning they stepped on something supernatural. Among the Alur, it’s “Enyonu Tho,” an ominous declaration that someone has “stepped on an illness.” But in urban …
Read More »Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health
Prof. Francisca Mutapi, a global health expert suggests 4 ways to end the dependence HEALTH | FRANCISCA MUTAPI | There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for …
Read More »What is ‘double pneumonia’?
The condition that’s put Pope Francis in hospital HEALTH | Pope Francis has been in hospital for more than two weeks with what some media reports are now calling “double pneumonia”. The Vatican released a statement on Feb.18 evening saying laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy …
Read More »Ministry to review nursing, midwifery entry requirements after UCE grading changes
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Education and Sports is reviewing admission requirements for nursing, midwifery, and other health-related certificate programs following recent changes in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) grading system. Dr. Safinah Kisu Musene, the acting commissioner for Higher Technical and Vocational Education and …
Read More »Uganda to become 18th country to roll-out malaria vaccine for children
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death among children under five in Uganda Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda is set to become the 18th country to roll-out malaria vaccination, starting April 2, as the country accelerates efforts to curb the deadly disease. The four-dose vaccine will be …
Read More »Safe Love Campaign: Reach A Hand Uganda offers free sexual, reproductive health services
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | To improve access to information and services on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for young people, Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) is actively providing free sexual and reproductive health services to residents in various communities as part of its ongoing Safe Love campaign. The initiative …
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