Health

But without a vaccine, suffering still abounds Kampala, Uganda | MAUREEN MILLER | I mentioned to a friend; a gay man nearing 60, that World AIDS Day, which has been observed on Dec. 1 since 1988, was almost upon us. He had no idea that World AIDS Day still exists. This …

Washington, United States | AFP | In the ongoing hunt for more effective weapons against malaria, international researchers said Thursday they are exploring a pathway that has until now been little studied — killing parasites in the liver, before the illness emerges. “It’s very difficult to work on the liver …

THIS WEEK: UDPF launches Ulinzi condoms Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda People’s Defense Force-UPDF has unveiled a new brand of condoms as part of its efforts to fight the HIV scourge. Ulinzi condoms are packed in a digital camouflage pack similar to UPDF uniforms.The condoms, which are produced in …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Health Ministry has launched a new combination vaccine for both measles and rubella. The two diseases display similar symptoms of fever and skin rash, and both are highly contagious. Measles can be deadly for children with poor nutrition and a weakened immune system and …

Washington, United States | AFP | In the ongoing hunt for more effective weapons against malaria, international researchers said Thursday they are exploring a pathway that has until now been little studied — killing parasites in the liver, before the illness emerges. “It’s very difficult to work on the liver …

Blantyre, Malawi | AFP |  Malawi’s parliament has approved steps to draft a bill for the legalisation of marijuana for medical use, which could be ready for scrutiny as early as next week. Deputies agreed to let independent deputy Boniface Kadzamira draw up the bill. It would propose licensing farmers …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | In Democratic Republic of Congo, they call him “Doctor Miracle” for his surgical skill and dedication in helping women overcome the injuries and trauma of sexual abuse and rape. Denis Mukwege is a crusading gynaecologist who has spent more than two decades treating appalling …

Kampala, Uganda | DORAH EGUNYU | Up to eight million children attend primary school in Uganda according to the Uganda National Planning Authority Report of 2017. Of these, 5.2 million (66%) attend school on empty stomachs. Children leave home very early and often with no breakfast and study all day …

Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Libya is set to launch a campaign overseen by the World Health Organization to vaccinate more than 2.7 million children after months of shortages, the health ministry said Wednesday. The “national immunisation campaign”, organised with the United Nations children fund UNICEF, is expected to begin …

Uganda vaccinates health workers against Ebola, fearing DRC spread Goma, DR Congo | AFP |  Uganda has vaccinated thousands of health workers against Ebola to counter the spread of the deadly virus from its neighbour Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministers of both countries said Wednesday. A growing outbreak …