In Kenya, Joyce Chimbi spoke to the first African manufacturer of WHO-prequalified, safe, single-use syringes. 27 February 2024 by Joyce Chimbi Reusable syringes are risky. They’re more likely to cause infection, and have been linked to the transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV, and hepatitis B and C. They’re also able to be used, resold, and…
Hoima district has launched a massive measles vaccination campaign following a confirmed outbreak in several villages along Lake Albert’s shores. The outbreak was identified in four villages in Kiganja and Buseruka sub-counties after samples from affected individuals tested positive for measles at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). To date, 302 people have been affected,…
An outbreak of suspected Chickenpox disease has thrown residents in Terego district into distress as they grapple to contain its spread. The most affected areas include Akua, Fokovu, Komendaku, Naa, and Ondojani cells in Aaa Ward, Leju Town Council. According to reports from residents, the illness, which predominantly targets children and adults, emerged last month,…
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is facing a significant challenge in treating a growing number of teenage moms experiencing complications after childbirth. Officials revealed at a press conference that 27% of mothers facing delivery complications are teenagers. Many are developing hypertension, while others are increasingly experiencing vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a condition causing uncontrollable urine leakage.…
A groundbreaking nutrition initiative worth 139 billion Shillings has kicked off in the Karamoja sub-region. Known as the ‘Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU)’ project, it will be spearheaded by Action Against Hunger in collaboration with the Karamoja Women’s Umbrella Organization. Targeting Nakapiripirit, Moroto, and Nabilatuk districts, the endeavor is generously supported by…
Alarming statistics from the World Health Organization’s 2018 Global Alcohol status report shed light on the pervasive issue of alcohol misuse, a significant risk factor affecting global population health and directly impacting several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Zimbabwe, unfortunately, finds itself on the high end of the spectrum for years of life lost due to…
Some 22,000 Nigerians are suspected to have been infected with the deadly vaccine-preventable disease in the past year. But health workers in some of the worst-affected areas say immunisation rates are picking up. 20 February 2024 by Adetokunbo Abiola “I was like other people. I didn’t take immunisation seriously before. I thought it was a waste of my…
Vaccinating post-exposure can give our immune system a strong enough boost to fight the disease before it’s fatal. 19 February 2024 by Priya Joi The Ebola vaccine can protect people from dying of the disease even if they were already infected at the time they were given the jab, according to a new study. The research,…
The recent enactment of Uganda’s human organ donation and transplant law, coupled with the inaugural kidney transplant at Mulago National Referral Hospital, has evoked a spectrum of reactions within the country. For patients awaiting life-saving organ transplants, these developments represent a beacon of hope. However, skepticism surrounds the living organ donation program, with doubts emerging…
In Zombo District, authorities are grappling with the challenge of reintegrating teenage mothers into the education system as many of them flee into hiding, hindering efforts to facilitate their return to school. Data from the district education department reveals that schools located along the Uganda-DR Congo border are particularly hard-hit, with over 30 girls reportedly…