Heart Institute Defends Loan for Uganda Cardiac Excellence

The Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, Dr John Omangino has defended a UGX 264 billion Shillings loan request for establishing a Centre of Cardiac Excellence.  Dr. Omagino on Wednesday appeared before Parliament’s Health Committee which is considering the loan request for the infrastructure development project. The Heart Institute was allocated 10 acres of…

Maintain eating locally grown food – Italy advises Uganda

Amidst food insecurity and hunger, the Italian Ambassador to Uganda, Massimiliano Mazzanti says Ugandans should maintain their taste buds to eating locally grown food. This will in effect grow the economy.  Mazzanti says Ugandans, especially the younger population are increasingly going for exotic consumer products, yet similar ones are made in the country. This is…

Pro-Life Activists Seek 10K Signatures to Kick out Reproductive Health Bill from EALA

Activists opposed to the Reproductive Health Bill that among other things legalises abortion want it withdrawn from regional East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The bill that was tabled before EALA has clauses that legalise abortion, tackle Gender-Based Violence, agree to commercialise surrogacy, and for students to have comprehensive Sexuality Education. An online petition against the bill circulating…

MUWRP researchers start study on HIV Cure

Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) is in collaboratory network with other researchers to find a cure for HIV. An HIV cure includes both remission and eradication. Remission is the durable control of virus in the absence of any ongoing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Eradication is the complete removal of intact and rebound-competent virus. Under the HOPE Collaboratory Network, MUWRP…

Orthopedic patients benefit from free surgeries at Mulago referral hospital

Twenty- four orthopedic patients are benefiting from free surgeries at a week-long surgical camp at Mulago Specialized National Referral hospital. Orthopedic surgeons are carrying out joint and knee replacements and other musculoskeletal repairs using the minimally invasive technique also known as laparoscopy. 10 of the patients are undergoing ligament repair whereas fourteen others are getting artificial…

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…