Health

Paris, France | AFP | Women who shun fruit or eat lots of fast food take longer to get pregnant and are less likely to conceive within a year, according to a study released Thursday. A nearly no-fruit diet compared to one loaded with three or more pieces per day …

To win the fight against malaria, African malaria leaders need the freedom to respond fast, using local knowledge COMMENT | RICHARD KAMWI, KESETE ADMASU, HARALD NUSSER | African malaria experts fear that the World Health Organization’s 2030 malaria targets may not be achieved unless big changes occur in funding and delivery. …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria has banned cough syrups containing the painkiller codeine because of concern about misuse and addiction, the government said. Health Minister Isaac Adewole said the ban was introduced because of “the gross abuse codeine usage has been subjected to in the country”. The announcement late …

Could it be the missing link to finally addressing Uganda’s persistently high maternal deaths? COMMENT | JOY ASASIRA | April is Maternal Health Month and, as we commemorate it, we must be aware that not a day goes by that we do not hear of a mother somewhere in Uganda who …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Drug Authority-NDA has closed fourteen additional pharmacies for operating without valid licenses. According to NDA, the closed pharmacies have been operating without valid 2018 licenses contrary to Section 14 of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act. The closed pharmacies include Mediva Pharmacy …

  Sembabule, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has defended a government proposal to import medical personnel from Cuba to work in public hospitals in rural areas, saying the move was intended to avert a crisis created by Ugandan doctors. Reports indicate that government intends to import at …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Ministry of Health is ready to receive Cuban doctors once Cabinet approves a decision to bring them into the country to support the health sector. Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Diana Atwine assured the press in a media briefing on Monday that no …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Excess Hepatitis B vaccines from northern Uganda will be withdrawn and will supply planned free immunization camps in Kampala in the next six months. The free Hepatitis B camps will start as soon as the National Medical Stores collects all the drugs due …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Uganda is on high alert after new cases of the polio virus were discovered in neighbouring Kenya and the DRC. Uganda was first certified as a polio-free country in 2006 but in 2010 had a case in eastern Uganda that was imported from Kenya. …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has asked schools to suspend all immunization drives against Hepatitis B, a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic liver disease. Dr Bernard Opar, a Program Manager of Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization …