Lower rates of survival for multi-Drug resistant Tuberculosis in Uganda

About 20 percent of all patients who present with Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB) in Uganda die. This is above the globally acceptable rate of 5% of all cases presented in any country.  Annually, an estimated 1,500 cases of MDRTB are registered in the country either as first-time or progressive infections. According to records from the ministry…

Uganda: Low vaccination against Hepatitis B causes increase in liver cancer cases

Hepatitis B is leading to an increase in the cases of liver cancer in Uganda but this can be reduced by vaccination. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) between 30 and 50% of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies like vaccination.  Hepatitis B is a…

25% of Kenya’s healthcare workers depressed says Aga Khan University study

A study by the Aga Khan University shows that one in every four healthcare professionals exhibits signs of depression. Conducted across all 47 counties in Kenya, the Protecting the Wellbeing and Strengthening the Resilience of Frontline Health Workers study also revealed that two in every five healthcare workers show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Some…

Pandemic Related Learning poverty: 70% of 10-year-olds can’t understand a simple written text

Learning poverty has increased by a third in low- and middle-income countries, with an estimated 70% of 10-year-olds unable to understand a simple written text with comprehension by age 10, according to a new report published today by the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, UK government Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), USAID, and the Bill &…

WHO launches NTDs mentorship project in honour of Tanzania’s Dr Mwele Malecela

World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced plans to set up a mentorship programme for African women working in neglected tropical diseases programmes. The mentorship is in honour of the late Dr Mwele Malecela, who was one of Africa’s most highly respected female scientists and public health leaders. The mentorship programme will provide African women with leadership…

CHOGM: Rwanda and Bangladesh announce pact to champion mental health

The Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh and Rwanda have announced the Kigali-Dhaka Compact on Mental Health at a high-level dialogue held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on 22 June. The event, which was held under the theme “Rethinking Mental Health: A Commonwealth Call to Empower, Care and Transform”, was hosted…

University of Rwanda implements project to access indoor air pollution

By RSIF The University of Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things (IoT), Embedded Computing Systems with funding from the PASET Regional Scholarship’s competitive grants scheme, in close collaboration with a team from Makerere University is implementing a project to assess the levels of indoor air pollution in rural and urban communities in Rwanda.…