Kigali, Rwanda is hosting the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum from February 13-15, bringing together 700 advocates, experts, and ministerial representatives from over 66 countries. This is the first time the Forum will take place in sub-Saharan Africa, a region facing a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) amid concerns over global health financing. The…
For five years, Marie Elisa lived in agony, a tumor the size of an orange growing relentlessly on her jaw. Once a hardworking farmer and devoted mother of four, she was forced to abandon her fields and watch helplessly as her youngest daughter dropped out of school. The pain was unbearable, and surgery was an…
A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the effectiveness of a two-dose hepatitis E vaccine during an outbreak in South Sudan, providing a potential lifeline for populations in crisis. The research, led by Andrew Azman, an epidemiologist at the UNIGE-HUG Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and Johns Hopkins University, highlights the vaccine’s ability…
By Esther Nakkazi At a press briefing today, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya advised against using the term “Disease X” to describe an unexplained illness in Panzi, a remote area, located 700 km southeast of Kinshasa of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He stressed that the term should be reserved for confirmed novel…
Uganda is grappling with a growing Mpox outbreak, with 141 new cases reported in the last nine days, contributing to a cumulative total of 925 cases across 56 districts. The outbreak has resulted in 108 active admissions, 6 cumulative deaths, and 792 cumulative discharges according to data from the Ministry of Health (MoH), released on 08th December 2024. In…
As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) training of journalists by USAID, health worker and police officer Godfrey Kigozi, who works with Naguru Police shares insights into the complexities of addressing these cases, highlighting the role of community attitudes, the importance of evidence collection, and survivor-centered care. “GBV cases are challenging,” Kigozi…
A verse in the Bible often quoted during marriage vows—”till death do us part”—is emblazoned in Reverend Canon Dennis Omera’s mind every day. As he carries out his duties at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tororo, he encourages married couples to stay together. After all, ethically and morally, this is what he is supposed to teach.…
Pioneering research presented at The Union World Conference on Lung Health has shed light on experimental strategies to combat extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). The findings, which span safety, tolerance, and efficacy of new treatment regimens, signal a significant step forward in addressing this challenging global health threat. Tailored Treatments for Pre-XDR TB Results from the…
Results from multi-country trials presented at The Union World Conference on Lung Health offer new insights into the safety, tolerability, and adherence of WHO-recommended treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in children and adults. The studies underscore both progress and challenges in managing MDR-TB, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children. Key Findings from TBCHAMP…
As the world marks World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) from November 18-24, experts and advocates have sounded the alarm on the growing threat of AMR, which endangers global health, food security, and modern medical practices. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, alongside poor healthcare and environmental practices, are accelerating the crisis. “Antimicrobial resistance is…