Local Languages Improve Trust in Health Information

Health communication is most effective when people receive, understand, and trust information in the language they use in everyday life. Across Africa and many low-resource settings, a significant proportion of the population has limited proficiency in official languages such as English, French, or Portuguese. Consequently, health messages delivered only in these languages may fail to…

Sexuality Education Key to Reducing Unsafe Abortions

Health workers are calling for expanded age-appropriate sexuality education for girls, saying it could help reduce the high number of unsafe abortions reported in Uganda. Speaking at a Media Café organized by the Health Journalists Network Uganda (HEJNU), Joyce Najjemba, a nursing officer at Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, said the hospital’s emergency department…

One test, three diseases: New antenatal screening tool strengthens maternal and child health in Africa

Seychelles and Eritrea have become the first countries in Africa to adopt Abbott’s integrated Determine™ Antenatal Care (ANC) Panel, a rapid screening tool designed to support the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. The move marks an important step towards achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) triple elimination targets and addressing…

Gov’t to Review Policy Halting Medical Interns’ Allowances

The government has pledged to review the National Education and Training for Health Policy following widespread concerns over a controversial provision proposing the removal of allowances for medical interns, a move critics say could severely disrupt Uganda’s public healthcare system. This follows strong objections from the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who warned that…

Baryomunsi Defends Ending Medical Interns’ Pay

Health Minister-designate Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has defended government’s controversial decision to stop paying allowances to medical interns, arguing that internship is primarily a continuation of professional training rather than formal employment. Baryomunsi made the remarks on Tuesday after appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting as President Yoweri Museveni’s nominee for Minister of Health. His…