Geneva, Switzerland | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance to help countries adopt and expand midwifery models of care- where midwives serve as the main care provider for women and babies throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. According to a statement released by …
Read More »STUDY: 48% of Ugandan children born with heart defects diagnosed late
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A study by scientists at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) has found that up to forty eight percent of children with congenital heart disease are diagnosed late, something that affects treatment outcomes. Each year, sixteen thousand babies are estimated to be born with heart …
Read More »Zambia halts HIV vaccine trial after U.S. withdraws funding
LUSAKA, Zambia | Xinhua | Health authorities in Zambia have halted a planned clinical trial for an HIV vaccine after the United States withdrew funding for the project, local media reported on Thursday. In January, the National Biosafety Authority approved a clinical trial of an HIV vaccine to be conducted …
Read More »MPOX: African deaths surpass 1,800 amid health emergencies
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA | Xinhua | The death toll from Africa’s ongoing mpox outbreak has surpassed 1,800, as the number of cases reported since the beginning of 2024 approaches the 150,000 mark, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). During an online media briefing …
Read More »UNAIDS urges Gilead to cut price of new HIV prevention drug
GENEVA, Switzerland | THE INDEPENDENT | The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved long-acting injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention. The new medicine is administered by injection once every 6 months and is a significant step in improving prevention options for people at risk of HIV infection around the …
Read More »Byanyima wants Trump to fund injectable Lenacapavir for PrEP
Johannesberg, South Africa | THE INDEPENDENT | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) for the prevention of HIV as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). LEN, developed by Gilead Sciences, is a twice-yearly injectable PrEP option that showed nearly complete protection against HIV in the landmark PURPOSE 1 and 2 …
Read More »Oxygen systems installed in 4 Teso health facilities to curb child mortality
Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Low-pressure medical oxygen systems have been installed in four health facilities in the Teso sub-region, aiming to reduce child mortality caused by respiratory illnesses. The FREO2 oxygen systems, part of an “oxygen as a service” initiative, have been implemented in the pediatric wards of Kapelebyong …
Read More »Why the Ik community in Karamoja is refusing to remain silent
A Mark of Resilience: The Ik community’s pursuit of improved service delivery in education and health COMMENT | Richard Ayesigwa | In the serene yet rugged highlands of Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region, a quiet but powerful wave of change is unfolding. The Ik people of Timu Sub County, long overlooked and …
Read More »New study reveals high levels of vaccine wastage in Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Findings of a new study by researchers at Makerere University School of Public Health shows high levels of vaccine wastage in both rural and urban health facilities in Uganda. The research was conducted in Mukono and Kalungu districts where the scientists assessed wastage rates …
Read More »Over 20 schools showcase creative ways to better understand menstruation
Reach A Hand Uses Expressive Arts to Break Menstrual Health Stigma in Schools Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Reach A Hand Uganda, through its “Undo The Taboo” and “GN Trybe” initiatives, brought together over 1,000 students from more than 20 schools across the country to highlight the effectiveness of edutainment …
Read More »
The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price