No new COVID-19 variants have emerged in China during the recent surge in infections since the country ended its zero-COVID policy, according to an analysis of cases in Beijing. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests two existing Omicron sub-variants, BA.5.2 and BF.7 – among the most dominant variants in Beijing during 2022 – accounted…
There is a need to clamp down on the formula milk industry’s marketing tactics which are exploitative, this is according to a new three-paper series published in The Lancet. The paper points out industry influence which includes lobbying against vital breastfeeding support measures as one of the ways they are using to jeopardize the health and rights…
An investigation by the National Drug Authority (NDA) has found Tickoff, an acaricide produced by Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Center Cathedral and two colleagues to be adulterated with chemicals that have since been banned. According to Abiaz Rwamwiri, NDA’s Public Relations Officer, the product which has been distributed in districts of Kiruhura, Lyantonde, Sembabule,…
Newborn screening (NBS) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), when combined with early treatment, results in better movement ability in affected children, including the ability to walk, when compared to children who are diagnosed once symptoms develop, suggests a new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal. SMA is a rare, genetic neuromuscular…
Kiruddu National Referral Hospital has started conducting operational research for every patient first conducting confirmatory tests to find out, which infection and sensitivity of the organ they have before prescribing a drug that specifically treats the kind of infection. While this should be basic practice for any health worker, Charles Kabugo, the Hospital Executive Director…
As suppliers of school materials are busy raking in money from shoppers in last-minute shopping for children who return to school on today, health workers have also found themselves ‘drafted’ into the cash bonanza as parents flock to their clinics with medical forms from schools for stamping before the learners are allowed back in class…
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework on Friday providing a roadmap to attain the target to save 2.5 million lives from breast cancer by 2040. The new Framework launched ahead of the World Cancer Day campaign recommends that countries implement the three pillars of health promotion for early…
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has asked providers in the private sector to periodically do a self-audit to see whether their performance is up to standard. In a circular sent out to hospital directors and in-charges across the country on Thursday, Dr Henry Mwebesa the Director General of Health Services said all health facilities irrespective…
The Ministry of Health will this year add the vaginal ring and injectable anti-retroviral therapy cabotegravir to the list of options for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative individuals who are at high risk of infection. Dr. Joshua Musinguzi the AIDS Control Programme Manager at the Ministry of Health told URN in an interview that they are…
By H.E. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi “I was blind, but now I see.” This is what Vainesi, from Salima District in Central Malawi, said after surgery to treat trachoma. A mother of three, Vainesi had been unable to work or provide for her family once the disease began to affect her eyesight. Vainesi…