A recent study by the Makerere University Lung Institute has revealed a concerning trend: lung cancer is now more prevalent among women than men in Uganda. This shift marks a significant change from previous patterns where lung cancer was predominantly more common in men due to higher tobacco smoking rates. Study Overview Lead researcher Irene…
A Mother’s Long Wait for Her Son’s Surgery For the last five years, Lillian Tali, a resident of Barr Sub-County in Lira District, has been in and out of hospitals with her son, Atim, who developed a hernia at just one year old. Hernias occur when a weak spot in the abdominal muscles allows internal…
Expectant mothers in Tajar Parish, Kamutur Sub-County, Bukedea district, are living in fear as climate change fuels recurring floods that worsen already fragile health services. Tajar, which has been severely affected by flooding from the Elgon Mountain, lacks a nearby health center with maternity services, forcing pregnant women to give birth at home or endure…
The Ministry of Works and Transport has approved a Safe School Zone Guide, a new initiative designed to curb the alarming number of road traffic deaths among school-going children. Uganda loses an estimated four children every day in road crashes. Dr. Emmerentian Mbabazi, the lead consultant behind the guide, says most of these tragedies occur…
Gulu Regional Cancer Centre has appointed its first substantive director, marking a major step in strengthening cancer care services for Northern Uganda. On Monday, Dr. Geria Fadhil, a pediatric oncologist with 15 years of experience at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), officially assumed office as Director of the facility. Dr. Fadhil takes over from Amos…
According to a new study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by ”la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with INSERM – Université Grenoble Alpes, better indoor air quality, proximity to natural spaces, healthy diets, and strong social networks are associated with reduced and better-regulated inflammation in childhood. The findings, published…
By Immaculate Ainebyoona Residents in Amuru district are said to be living in fear following the outbreak of cholera, that has claimed 11 lives after 143 reported cases, and the situation has been worsened by the lack of medical workers and medicines to handle the cases. The revelation was made by Anthony Akol (Kilak North)…
In Kampala, private clinics and medical centers are lifelines for communities in densely populated areas like Kyebando and Bwaise. Yet, behind their mission to heal, many of these facilities are perpetrating a grave environmental crime: the illegal disposal of hazardous medical waste. This reckless practice is polluting water sources, poisoning the air, and threatening both…
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa is set to examine and adopt a crucial “Framework to advance universal access to safe, effective and quality-assured blood products in the WHO African Region: 2026–2030”. This framework addresses persistent challenges in ensuring adequate and equitable access to life-saving blood and blood products across the region,…
A newly identified immune system ‘roadblock’ may explain why HPV vaccines given after infection struggle. 25 August 2025 by Linda Geddes A health worker administers the HPV vaccine to a girl in Zambia. Credit: Gavi/2023/Peter Caton The vaccines that prevent HPV-related cancers are a medical success story. But once the virus has taken hold, they…
Walimu Cooperative Union Limited has introduced a new health insurance package specifically for teachers in Uganda. According to Stephen Nabende, the chairperson of the National Cooperative Union, each teacher is required to contribute at least 150,000 Shillings annually to cover their medical expenses, with the cooperative union providing additional support. Nabende emphasised that this insurance…
The government of South Korea, under its agency the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), has conducted a midterm review of its five-year programme to strengthen health systems for quick detection and response to infectious diseases. Speaking at a meeting attended by officials in the Ministry of Health and different public health facilities across the…
New research indicates that many patients with advanced cancer report receiving treatment focusing on longevity over comfort, even when their goal is the opposite. The findings are published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Treatment of serious illnesses generally aims to optimize longevity and quality of life, but…
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. If detected early, it can be efficiently treated, but the cost and discomfort of colonoscopies – the main diagnostic method currently in use – often result in delayed diagnosis. Using machine learning algorithms, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) identified for the…
Mpox still poses a major risk, but rapid delivery of vaccines could help halt outbreaks before they spread. 19 August 2025 by Priya Joi A year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the virus has spread rapidly across Africa, and the global response remains inadequate,…