Uganda’s Kitgum District Battles Dual Burden of Alcoholism and Epilepsy

A health official in northern Uganda has raised alarm over a rise in epilepsy cases among adults, linking the trend to heavy alcohol consumption. Records from Kitgum General Hospital’s mental health unit show the district has registered more than 2,600 epilepsy cases. While childhood illnesses such as severe malaria and untreated febrile convulsions remain common…

Why the HPV vaccine is offered to teenage girls and what parents need to know about it

When it comes to triggering immunity against the leading cause of cervical cancer – HPV – timing matters. 19 September 2025 by Linda Geddes A girl receiving her HPV vaccination from a health worker in Mongolia. Credit: Gavi/2024/Khasar Sandag. HPV vaccine explained: why it’s given before adulthood HPV is highly infectious and predominantly spread through…