Heart surgery outreach in Lira treats children with congenital defects

Eleven children from the Lango and Acholi subregions are set to undergo specialized pediatric heart surgery at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. The five-day surgical camp began Monday and ends Friday, focusing on pediatric closed-heart procedures. By Tuesday evening, eight children had successfully undergone surgery. The procedures are being carried out by senior cardiologists and pediatric…

Malaria cases remain high despite strong testing rates

Malaria continues to place a heavy burden on Uganda’s health system, with 112,460 confirmed cases and five deaths reported in Week 13 (March 23–29, 2026), according to the Ministry of Health’s epidemiological update. The data shows that testing coverage remains high, with 96.7% of suspected malaria cases tested, indicating strong surveillance and diagnostic capacity across…

On Kenya’s borders, the Ministry of Health works with truck drivers and sex workers to fight mpox

Both jobs can be socially isolating and physically exposed – an unsalutary combination amid a viral epidemic. 20 March 2026 by Pauline Achieng Tom At a glance During the mpox surge of recent years, major transport corridors criss-crossing sub-Saharan Africa have also become avenues for viral spread. Border checkpoints have become vital nodes for disease…

Scientists solve long-standing mosquito mystery, opening new path for disease control

For decades, scientists believed that juvenile hormone, a chemical signal essential for mosquito reproduction, needed two different receptors to work: one inside the cell and another on its surface. The internal receptor was identified years ago, but the second remained elusive. Now, researchers from Virginia Tech have shown that one protein was doing both jobs…

Uganda’s Health System Under Strain as Data Shows Rising Maternal Deaths and Disease Burden

Uganda’s health system is facing mounting pressure, with new data showing a rise in maternal deaths alongside a surge in infectious diseases, according to an analysis of the Ministry of Health’s Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin for Week 13 (March 23–29, 2026). The data reveals that 21 maternal deaths were recorded in a single week, up from…

How Attitudes and Knowledge Gaps are affecting uptake of Post Abortion Care (PAC) in Masaka Region

Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) Media Café on Post Abortion Care Up take in Masaka sponsored by the CATALYSTS Consortium Project held at Court Lane Hotel in Masaka city on 12th February 2026.   The Science Café Day On Thursday 12th February 2026, HEJNU Masaka Region coordinators Malik Fahad Jjingo and Davis Buyondo convened a…

Media café highlights unsafe abortion, stigma, and legal gaps in Uganda

INTRODUCTIONThe Media Café: On Friday, 9th January 2026, the Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) supported by the CATALYSTS Consortium Project held a one-day health café with media practitioners in Kampala and upcountry. Presided over by the HEJNU President, media trainer and freelance science Esther Nakkazi, the engagement was attended by at least 20 journalists,…