For mothers in Uganda’s tea fields, taking their children to get vaccinated can mean missing a day of earnings for food. InPact’s Executive Director writes for VaccinesWork on how her organisation is helping tackle this impossible dilemma. 9 December 2024 by Emily Katarikawe When I think about childhood immunisation in Uganda, one story stands out vividly.…
Uganda is grappling with a growing Mpox outbreak, with 141 new cases reported in the last nine days, contributing to a cumulative total of 925 cases across 56 districts. The outbreak has resulted in 108 active admissions, 6 cumulative deaths, and 792 cumulative discharges according to data from the Ministry of Health (MoH), released on 08th December 2024. In…
By Davis Joel Ddungu The Ministry of Health has reported a concerning increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases among children in Uganda, with many failing to access or complete treatment. The report made by the Uganda Ministry of Health highlights a growing challenge in combating TB among young populations, revealing that 12% of all TB notifications,…
As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) training of journalists by USAID, health worker and police officer Godfrey Kigozi, who works with Naguru Police shares insights into the complexities of addressing these cases, highlighting the role of community attitudes, the importance of evidence collection, and survivor-centered care. “GBV cases are challenging,” Kigozi…
A peer-to-peer learning platform invited health workers from around Africa to share their insights on reaching zero-dose kids in cities. 2 December 2024 by Ian Jones, Charlotte Mbuh A health worker carries a portable cooler for vaccines after completing a day of vaccinations as part of the Reach Zero Dose Children (ZDC) campaign in Somalia. Credit: Gavi/2024/Mohamed Abdihakim…
The parents of Emmanuel, a three-year-old boy from Sierra Leone, are celebrating a life-changing milestone after volunteers aboard the charity hospital ship Global Mercy™ removed a large and painful growth from his face. Emmanuel had lived with the condition since birth, and his family had endured years of social stigma, financial strain, and fruitless medical…
A verse in the Bible often quoted during marriage vows—”till death do us part”—is emblazoned in Reverend Canon Dennis Omera’s mind every day. As he carries out his duties at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tororo, he encourages married couples to stay together. After all, ethically and morally, this is what he is supposed to teach.…
Summary: Proponents say the bill brings needed oversight to a key health care procedure. Detractors say it’s the latest in a campaign against gender and sexual minorities. Reporter Byline: Nakisanze Segawa, Global Press Uganda 1. Some say the proposed Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill is needed in a country where such procedures remain largely unregulated.…
Nearly five years since COVID-19 was first reported, a new global report on infection prevention and control (IPC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows there has been slow progress in addressing critical gaps to prevent health care-associated infections (HAIs). A large proportion of HAIs can be prevented with improved IPC practices and basic water,…
By Byamukama Alozious (HEJNU member) The Minister of Health for State General Duties, Hon. Hanifa Kawooya Bangirana, has called for increased focus on tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy prevention and increased digitalization of patient data. Speaking at the 7th Annual Tuberculosis and Leprosy Conference, the Minister emphasized the need for preventive measures to reduce the burden…
In districts that got early access to vaccination, parents say fewer bouts of malaria leave more time to tend crops. 28 November 2024 by Charles Pensulo On a cloudy morning, Lucy Zakaria, 38, of Sangano Village in Malawi’s Phalombe district, cradles her one-year-and-eight-month-old baby at the hospital as she awaits her turn to see the doctor.…
A groundbreaking initiative at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is making strides in reducing surgical infection rates. The program, spearheaded by Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) department in partnership with the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT), trained 20 nurses in sterilization best practices over a two-week intensive course. SPECT, a nonprofit…
Switching out ten-dose measles and rubella (MR) vials for five-dose vials has the potential to make a big impact, Fiske Nyirongo learns. 8 November 2024 by Fiske Nyirongo Registered nurse Memory Mwezi has been serving at Mwimba Health Post’s daily health clinics for long enough to have a pretty good sense of the ebbs and flows…
Several recent initiatives aim to identify and resolve challenges with antibiotic use that could be contributing to high rates of antimicrobial resistance. 22 November 2024 by Francis Kokutse The adage that too much of anything is bad is reflected in the experience of Vicky Dickson’s patients. Dickson, a community pharmacist in Adentan, a suburb of Accra,…
Informa Markets, the organizers of the first-ever International Health Ministerial Summit, have announced that the event will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from December 4–5, 2024. This groundbreaking gathering will bring together global healthcare leaders to address critical health challenges and pave the way for more resilient and equitable medical systems. The Summit, themed ‘Strengthening…