Cultural inhibitions are hindering the treatment of children suffering from hydrocephalus in the Acholi Sub-region. Hydrocephalus occurs when the body makes more cerebrospinal fluid than the brain absorbs, causing the child’s head to swell abnormally big. Isaac Odongo, the Project Officer at Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Uganda (SHAU) says the majority of children…
A five year multi-billion shillings Integrated Community Agriculture and Nutrition – ICAN activity by the United States Agency for International Development – USAID has come to an end. The USAID ICAN project was a flagship resilience activity inaugurated in July 2018 and ending in July 2023 to address malnutrition and help uplift Ugandans out of…
Advocates for improved menstrual health have reminded the government to honour its promise to remove taxes on sanitary pads. The Uganda government promised to remove taxes on sanitary pads to improve access but it has failed to honour this pledge. Girls in rural areas are most affected as they can’t afford sanitary pads due to…
The Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC) has introduced a new service in the country, which according to the Ministry of Health is set to curb the number of people who develop complications after blood transfusion. According to Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, 90% of the people who develop complications…
The United States $100 billion investment in the fight against HIV/AIDS has empowered partner nations to better respond to disease threats and improve people’s lives. Launched in 2003, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has saved over 25 million lives and helped 5.5 million babies be born HIV-free. HIV-related deaths have dropped…
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reported that over 10 million Ugandans still lack access to safe drinking water, while close to 15 million lack access to sanitation services. According to the USAID, Uganda Mission Director Richard Nelson, government needs to prioritize sanitation and hygiene when planning and allocating resources. “And much…
The government of Uganda is rolling out a nationwide vaccination campaign against the potentially fatal yellow fever disease. Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, made the announcement on Tuesday at an orientation event with members of the country’s media. The three-phase campaign is expected to conclude in 2021, while preparations…
Health experts from eight member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have singled out gaps in nutrition surveillance as one of the biggest reasons impeding them from tackling the high burden of malnutrition in the region. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a nutrition knowledge-sharing workshop held in Munyonyo on Wednesday, Dr.…
A new Makerere University School of Public Health study has revealed that the majority of adult Ugandans lack adequate fertility awareness, affecting their decisions on family planning choices. Dr Simon Peter Kibira offered further insights of the survey conducted within Buyende, Mbale and Mukono districts on male and female participants ranging between 15-49 years. Results…
The first ever clinical trial on neonatal sepsis has got underway in three public hospitals in Kenya and South Africa. The NeoSep1 trial will evaluate new combinations of existing antibiotics and compare them to treatment regimens that are currently used in newborn babies with suspected neonatal sepsis. This is vital in the face of rising resistance…