Uganda: Most health workers can’t diagnose breathing related diseases

According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda records 3,500 new cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) every three months. Sadly many health workers are unable to diagnose Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which are, a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. Speaking at a meeting organized by the Makerere University Lung…

Men and women have similar levels of ‘dark’ personality traits when facing harsh economic conditions

Men and women have more similar levels of ‘dark’ personality traits when they are faced with harsh economic conditions, a new study has revealed. Research shows that globally more men than women have high scores of ‘dark’ personality traits but a new study by Queen’s University Belfast psychologists has found that women scores on “dark”…

Will it be Gene Therapy, Immune Modulation or Latency Reversal as an HIV Cure to end HIV by 2030

By Charles Brown In Uganda we have around 1,400,000 people living with HIV and estimated HIV prevalence is 5.5% among the general population (15 to 49 years). New HIV infections are at 54,000 a year and 17,000 Aids related deaths (UAC, 2022). The country target is achieving the three 95,95,95. (95 % of the population to know their HIV…

Faith-based organisations affirm commitment to build capacity in family planning

In preparation for the upcoming International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), members of the faith community are reaffirming their commitment to build the capacities of faith-based organizations in family planning advocacy.  The ICFP Faith Subcommittee will hold a pre-conference on November 13 that will unpack tools and strategies that can be used to engage religious leaders, youth and…

U.S. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown at 2022 National HIV and AIDS Symposium Remarks

The United States government recognizes that a healthy population is the foundation for a country’s social and economic development.   Almost 20 years ago on January 28, 2003, while announcing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), then U.S. President George W. Bush said, “We must remember our calling, as a blessed country, to…

Child’s death after vaccination leads to health workers’ arrest

Vaccines save lives. But the sudden death of a baby shortly after vaccination has landed two medical workers at Daphine Medical center in Kabalagala in Kampala in trouble. Dr. Doreen Akuku and Joan Nabakooza, a nurse at the facility. The two are locked up at Kabalagala Police Station in connection to the death of nine-month-old Messiah on Friday evening…

National Drug Authority Closes Over 800 Outlets for Operating Illegally

The Uganda National Drugs Authority (NDA) has closed over 830 drug outlets in the Northern Region for operating illegally.  The drug shops include two pharmacies, 48 human and veterinary drug shops, and 16 clinics among others.   NDA has also recovered and impounded stolen medical equipment and government drugs worth UGX 1.7 Billion Shillings during…

A new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has discovered that edoxudine, an anti-herpes molecule discovered in the 60s, weakens the protective surface of Klebsiella bacteria and makes them easier to eliminate for immune cells. These results can be read in the journal PLOS ONE.  Klebsiella pneumoniae causes many respiratory, intestinal and urinary tract infections.…