United Nations | Xinhua | United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned against “vaccine nationalism,” appealing for greater finance to secure inoculations for Africa. “It’s true we are seeing vaccination nationalism moving at full speed,” Guterres said during a virtual meeting with the African Union. The UN chief made this …
Read More »WHO launches new alliance to combat false information on COVID-19
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new alliance, the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), to coordinate actions and pool resources in combating misinformation around COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies in Africa. Digital platforms have been flooded with COVID-19-related information since the pandemic …
Read More »WHO urges greater COVID-19 vigilance in Africa as holidays near
Large group gatherings and mobility have been identified as risk factors for increasing the spread of COVID-19 | THE INDEPENDENT | With the end of year approaching and many African families planning get-togethers, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to be on high alert for a possible surge …
Read More »WHO warns against remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment
London, UK | Xinhua | The antiviral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat COVID-19 patients no matter how ill they are as there is no evidence it works, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. “The … panel found a lack of evidence that remdesivir improved outcomes that …
Read More »Uganda records 100% increase in measles deaths – MOH
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A total of 150 deaths occurred last year due to measles according to the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization. According to the Ministry of Health figures, the deaths recorded last year showed an increase of over 100 percent. In 2018, the number of deaths …
Read More »Long term symptoms of COVID-19 ‘really concerning’- WHO
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | With some COVID-19 patients reporting long-term symptoms, including damage to major organs, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to ensure they receive necessary care. “Although we’re still learning about the virus, what’s clear is that this is not just a virus that kills …
Read More »Steroids can boost survival of preterm babies: WHO
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The results of a new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that dexamethasone–a glucocorticoid used to treat many conditions, including rheumatic problems and severe COVID-19, can boost survival of premature babies when given to pregnant women at risk …
Read More »Mass cholera vaccination kicks off in Kasese
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mass vaccination against cholera has kicked off today in Kasese district. The five-day exercise was rolled out on Sunday by a joint team comprising of Ministry of Health officials and the district health team with support from World Health Organization-WHO. The exercise will target more …
Read More »WHO urges gov’ts to ‘focus on fundamentals’ as COVID-19 caseloads rise
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization is advising governments and people everywhere not to let their guard down, for the benefit of those hospitalized, or working on the front line of the battle to end the COVID-19 pandemic, as COVID-19 cases continue to accelerate. “I know there’s …
Read More »Herd immunity, an ‘Unethical’ COVID-19 strategy- WHO
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Using the principle of the so-called “herd immunity” to stem the COVID-19 pandemic is “unethical” and not an option, countries should pursue to defeat the virus, the head of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned. Herd immunity occurs when a large …
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