Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Dramatic improvements are needed in ensuring access to clean water and sanitation worldwide, the World Health Organization said Thursday, warning that nearly two billion people currently use faecal-contaminated water. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year because they are forced to drink contaminated water, …
Read More »Depression tops list of causes of ill health and disability worldwide
“Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health WHO | GENEVA – Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 300 million people are now living with depression, …
Read More »Global depression numbers surge in past decade
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Cases of depression have ballooned almost 20 percent in a decade, making the debilitating disorder linked to suicide the leading cause of disability worldwide, the World Health Organization said Thursday. By 2015, the number of people globally living with depression, according to a revised definition, …
Read More »Mental illness rising
New WHO report shows Uganda among hardest hit countries in the world Many Ugandans do not know about mental illness – they only know “madness”. They use the word to describe someone who is possibly running wild, throwing stones, attacking people, or engaging in some bizarre and scary activity. But …
Read More »COMMENT: Uganda and Trump’s Gag Rule
COMMENT: By Joy Asasira & Dennis Jjuuko Is American foreign policy to blame or poor prioritisation by the Ugandan government? U.S President Ronald Reagan first invoked the global gag rule also known as the Mexico City Policy in 1984, followed by President George W. Bush in 2001. President Donald Trump …
Read More »HEALTH: Herbal medicine’s future
Two top practitioners speak to The Independent about their fears and dream Andrew S. Kaggwa Imagine a place where you can go for weight management, management of lifestyle diseases, nutritional support, and guidance and counseling on diet. Now on that list add herbal decoctions, distillates, ointments, creams, and lotions. Finally …
Read More »Rethinking cancer diagnosis, treatment
WHO releases new guidelines; but how will Uganda drive more patients to the hospital? Every Friday morning at the Uganda Cancer Institute is free screening time. Being the biggest cancer facility in the country, coupled with ever increasing cases, one would expect to see some quite big numbers. But that …
Read More »Trade ministry, local governments fight over alcohol law
Proponents of the law say it will ensure a healthy and productive population Uganda’s trader ministry and the Gulu District Local Government are at loggerheads over the latter’s decision to pass an ordinance restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol. Gulu District Councilors enforced an Alcohol Control Ordinance starting last …
Read More »RWANDA: Swelling feet disease
Podoconiosis: A neglected tropical disease causing havoc in Rwanda rural areas A group of 25 people sit, their eyes downcast, on the verdant freshly mowed field at a churchyard in Musanze town. The sky above is thick with dark clouds, promising rains. It’s a perfect morning to be in their …
Read More »Green health for Kampala
Researchers recommend fighting Non-communicable Diseases with jogging, playing, relaxing in public parks Researchers who recently published a study on public parks in Kampala now want the city authorities to remove encroachers and create new spaces for residents to use for exercise, recreation, and relaxation. David Ouma Balikowa, who was the …
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