Mailing at-home HPV sampling kits nearly doubles cervical screening uptake among hard-to-reach populations, US clinical trial suggests

At-home high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) sampling kits can help increase cervical cancer screening among under-screened women from low-income backgrounds, according to findings from a US-based clinical trial published in The Lancet Public Health journal.  The trial shows mailing kits to low-income, under-screened women and helping them book an in-person clinic appointment led to a two-fold…

Taking a common diabetes medication after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 reduces risk of developing long COVID by 40%, study finds

Taking a two-week course of metformin, a safe and affordable diabetes medication after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 leads to 40% fewer long COVID diagnoses over the following 10 months, compared to individuals taking a placebo, finds a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.  The long-term symptoms some people experience after SARS-CoV-2 infection,…

Training the next generation of African scientific leaders in global health

Ten outstanding early career scientists from nine African countries have been awarded four-year fellowships that will build their capacity to conduct cutting-edge research in global health. The fellowships will be awarded through the African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) programme, which is implemented by the African Academy of Sciences in partnership with the U.S. National Institutes…

Eye operation equipment donated from German lies idle in Luwero hospital

In 2017, German organisations consolidated some funds to buy a state-of-the-art eye treatment equipment to Luwero Hospital.  Bazungu e.V and Augen Klinik Ahaus Hospital, both German organizations donated the eye equipment to the hospital’s eye clinic after conducting an eye camp where they encountered an overwhelming number of patients in need of treatment.  Six years later…

WHO and the Global Fund announce commitment for enhanced collaboration

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) signed a new and revised Strategic Framework for Collaboration, designed to build stronger and more resilient health systems and maximize collaboration and impact in support of country, regional and global responses to major communicable diseases. The…

Masaka city restores Village Health Teams to Support Disease Prevention

Health authorities in Masaka city and district local governments have reawakened the Village Health Teams-VHTs to support disease control and prevention interventions at the household level. Masaka District Health Officer Doctor Faith Nakiyimba says that they are retooling the Village Health Teams, such that they can reduce the disease burden in the area, as part…

Activists Push for Contraceptives Among Teenagers

Uganda and other African countries urgently need policies for adolescents and young people to access contraceptives.The suggestion to allow teenagers, especially school-going ones to access and use contraceptives remains controversial not only in Uganda but in some African countries. During Uganda international health meeting in Kampala population experts say policies need to be in place…

Stigma Affecting Adherence to HIV Medication, Forcing Students Out of School

The detrimental impact of stigma and discrimination on school dropout rates and HIV transmission in Uganda’s Mid-North region cannot be overlooked. The recently released findings from the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) 2020-2021 shed light on the concerning situation in the Lango sub-region.  The prevalence of HIV in this area is alarmingly high, standing…