Global health leaders gathered in Geneva last week for the 78th World Health Assembly, with a strong call to prioritize women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (WCAH) amid growing resource constraints. Amid discussions on streamlining aid and maximizing impact, a unifying message emerged: WCAH must move higher on regional political agendas to address glaring inequalities. At…
At a pivotal side event during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, non-governmental organizations Mercy Ships and Operation Smile marked ten years of leadership in advancing equitable surgical care. The gathering brought together health ministers, global leaders, and experts to celebrate progress—and confront the urgent gaps that remain in delivering safe, affordable surgical…
A new vaccine could cut the risk of gonorrhoea by 40%, offering a potential new tool against this increasingly drug-resistant bacteria. 28 May 2025 by Priya Joi In a landmark move for public health, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is set to launch the world’s first vaccination programme against gonorrhoea,…
Scientists hail a new era of HIV vaccine design, as an experimental vaccine triggers the beginnings of a broadly protective antibody response in humans. 16 May 2025 by Linda Geddes In a step toward ending one of the world’s deadliest pandemics, researchers have shown that it’s possible to spark the beginnings of a broadly neutralising…
The strain of the virus found in Dhaka appears to be distinct from better-known lineages, and scientists say more research is needed to understand the true burden of the disease. 27 May 2025 by Mohammad Al Amin After scientists report finding the first proven cluster of Zika virus cases in Dhaka, the country’s densely-populated capital…
Uganda continues to grapple with a significant tuberculosis (TB) burden, with recent data from Epi Week 20, 2025, showing alarming case rates across several districts. Nakapiripirit tops the list with 13.8 cases per 10,000 people, followed by Nabilatuk (10.2) and Kalangala (8.3). Kampala, the capital city, reports 6.7 cases per 10,000, underscoring persistent transmission risks…
Public health surveillance across the Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA) shows troubling disparities, with Kampala persistently lagging in reporting completeness and timeliness. New weekly surveillance data reveals that while Mukono district maintained reporting completeness above 70% and Wakiso hovered between 60–70%, Kampala’s performance averaged below 35%, underscoring ongoing systemic challenges. Mukono’s strong performance points to effective…
The Bunyoro Regional Emergency Operations Centre has released its weekly epidemiological bulletin for Week 19 (5th to 11th May 2025), revealing both progress and pressing public health challenges across the region. The bulletin serves as a critical tool for district, national, and global stakeholders to track disease trends, assess health service delivery, and guide emergency…
In a landmark decision, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, marking a pivotal moment in global health governance and solidarity. The agreement, approved by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly, is the result of more than three years of intense negotiations initiated in the…
In a bold step toward ending one of the world’s deadliest neglected diseases, six African countries—Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar. The commitment was announced during a high-level ceremony held on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly…
The Co-Chairs of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response have welcomed the adoption of a historic pandemic agreement by the World Health Assembly, calling it a crucial step toward a safer and more equitable world. “This agreement, bound by principles of equity and solidarity, recognises that even in uncertain times, the only way…
Hospice Africa Uganda has announced the death of its much-loved and visionary founder, Dr. Anne Merriman, MBE, who passed away peacefully at her home in Munyonyo, Kampala, on Sunday, May 18, aged 90. A tireless advocate for compassionate care, Dr. Merriman’s passing marks the end of an era for both Uganda and the global palliative…
In Congo-Brazzaville, thousands of children have never received a single vaccine. Why? 15 May 2025 by Brice Kinhou Congo-Brazzaville’s thousands of unvaccinated children may be “missed”, but they’re not forgotten. Many actors – from the Ministry of Health and Population, to CARITAS Congo, alongside many other community-based and international organisations – are working to identify…
The pneumococcal vaccine, introduced a decade ago, has proven its effectiveness. But its price is rising, and with Ghana’s potential transition from Gavi support on the horizon, how can its long-term accessibility be ensured? 19 March 2025 by Claudia Lacave Pneumonia kills 2,000 children per day worldwide and is responsible for 16% of deaths among children…
Acute hunger continues to rise in Uganda and across East Africa, mirroring a global crisis that saw over 295 million people in 53 countries suffer from severe food insecurity in 2024, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today. In Uganda, over 2.5 million people are estimated to be food insecure,…