Increasing cases of malnutrition among children below the age of five, resulting in stunted growth, are causing concern among parents, health workers, and stakeholders,” states the UNICEF chief field officer in western and central Uganda, Philip Lim-Lim. Lim-Lim expresses bewilderment at the escalating malnutrition in the Tooro region, despite an abundance of food. He cites…
Implementing the distribution of self-test kits through non-healthcare intermediaries has proven effective in encouraging more men to undergo HIV testing, according to a study conducted by researchers at Busitema University. The lead researcher, Prof Joseph Matovu from the Faculty of Health Sciences, detailed their strategy, which involved engaging fishermen in Buvuma and Kalangala islands, a…
Mulago Specialized National Referral Hospital is gearing up to launch a week-long surgical camp on Monday, with a mission to address over four thousand cases. Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the hospital’s Executive Director, highlighted during a press conference that the initiative, marking Uganda’s independence anniversary, aims to tackle intricate medical procedures in neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and…
Despite the government’s establishment of medical care services to support mothers requiring post-abortion care in all healthcare centers, a disheartening revelation was made by Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director of Curative Services in the Health Ministry. In a press conference held on Friday, Dr. Olaro disclosed that many women, despite the awareness efforts regarding available…
Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has introduced comprehensive guidelines for paternity testing to address concerns and ensure transparency in the practice. These guidelines, unveiled during the National Laboratory Sector Performance Review Meeting on Thursday, are aimed at regulating and standardizing paternity testing procedures across the country. Among the key provisions in the guidelines is the…
In a significant development, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced the relinquishment of its secondary patents on a crucial TB medicine, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against tuberculosis. This decision by J&J opens the door for additional drug manufacturers to produce more affordable generic versions of the medication, offering hope to countless individuals…
The National Drug Authority (NDA) took decisive action in the Busoga Sub-region, shutting down 166 illicit drug outlets due to their lack of licenses and unqualified staff. This operation also resulted in the seizure of 241 boxes of assorted medicines worth 80 million Shillings. The comprehensive five-day operation covered various locations, including Jinja City, Jinja…
It is estimated that, globally, mental disorders affect about one in seven children and adolescents aged 10–19 years. A recent analysis of published studies indicates that most research on child and adolescent mental health and psychological interventions in low- and middle-income countries is reactive rather than proactive, focusing on treating rather than preventing mental health…
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever report on the devastating global impact of high blood pressure, along with recommendations on the ways to win the race against this silent killer. The report shows approximately 4 out of every 5 people with hypertension are not adequately treated, but if countries can scale up coverage,…
Following renewed activism by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other tuberculosis (TB) advocates over the last week, Cepheid and its parent company Danaher announced today that they are reducing the price of the Xpert MTB/RIF test for TB by 20 percent—from $9.98 to $7.97 per test—in high-TB-burden countries.…