One test, three diseases: New antenatal screening tool strengthens maternal and child health in Africa

Seychelles and Eritrea have become the first countries in Africa to adopt Abbott’s integrated Determine™ Antenatal Care (ANC) Panel, a rapid screening tool designed to support the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. The move marks an important step towards achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) triple elimination targets and addressing…

Gov’t to Review Policy Halting Medical Interns’ Allowances

The government has pledged to review the National Education and Training for Health Policy following widespread concerns over a controversial provision proposing the removal of allowances for medical interns, a move critics say could severely disrupt Uganda’s public healthcare system. This follows strong objections from the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who warned that…

Baryomunsi Defends Ending Medical Interns’ Pay

Health Minister-designate Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has defended government’s controversial decision to stop paying allowances to medical interns, arguing that internship is primarily a continuation of professional training rather than formal employment. Baryomunsi made the remarks on Tuesday after appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting as President Yoweri Museveni’s nominee for Minister of Health. His…

WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak in Eastern DRC Remains Complex

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a serious public health emergency, with ongoing transmission, limited contact tracing, community mistrust, and the absence of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain complicating efforts to contain the disease. Speaking to journalists after a visit to…