Excellence in Research Requires Much More than Metrics

By Esther Nakkazi  In the contemporary academia and the research world, scientific excellence, which brings promotions and recognitions heavily rely on metrics such as the publication’s impact factor, researchers’ ability to secure grants, citation counts and others. This may introduce bias and lacks a wholistic perspective and may not necessarily constitute a proper definition of excellence…

Nalukero Village Triumphs Over Malaria, Achieves Financial Relief

Residents of Nalukero Village in Bulange Sub-County, Namutumba District, are adopting a smart home approach to combat malaria in their community. Earlier this year, an outbreak of severe malaria in Mazuba and Bulange sub-counties resulted in tragic losses, particularly among children. In response, the Ministry of Health and organizations like the USAID Social and Behavior…

Advocates Urge Equity in Proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement

Ugandan health advocates, along with their counterparts in the global south, are urging for equity, accountability, and financing to be central to the next global pandemic agreement. They emphasize that such an agreement should prioritize fairness in access to health resources and ensure robust mechanisms for pandemic security. This call from various health-related civil society…

Korean Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH) Grants UCI Cancer Screening Equipment Valued at UGX 400 Million

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has been the recipient of cancer screening equipment valued at Shillings 400 million, courtesy of The Korean Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH). This donation holds particular significance for Uganda, given its substantial burden of cancer, especially cervical cancer among women. Dr. James Chakachon, from the Ministry of Health’s Department…

Five innovations that could help to eliminate malaria

Recently approved malaria vaccines have reinvigorated hopes of eliminating the disease, but other innovations are in development that could further bolster these efforts.  12 March 2024 by Linda Geddes Malaria vaccination in Cameroon. Credit: Gavi/2024/Go’tham Industry Malaria is one of the greatest infectious killers in human history and, despite recent control efforts, an estimated 600,000…

Can artificial intelligence techniques help clinicians assess and treat patients with bone fractures?

Investigators have applied artificial intelligence techniques to gait analyses and medical records data to provide insights about individuals with leg fractures and aspects of their recovery.   The study, which is published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, uncovered a significant association between the rates of hospital readmission after fracture surgery and the presence of…

Facial recognition for dogs? In Tanzania, it’s helping keep track of rabies vaccination

Microchipping is expensive; paper vaccination booklets can get lost or swapped. So how can vaccinators ensure canine community members aren’t at risk of contracting – and transmitting – rabies? There’s an app for that, learns James Karuga. 23 April 2024 by James Karuga On a typical day, Godbless Felix, a rabies vaccinator, enters a home accompanied…