WHO offers 2,400 rapid test kits ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | The World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided Uganda’s Ministry of Health with a set of 2,400 test kits to strengthen the country’s response to Monkeypox through rapid laboratory identification of cases. These kits are among the first Monkeypox laboratory tools received …
Read More »Can we conquer HIV?
Düsseldorf patient’s story inspires hope ANALYSIS | MELODY CHIRONDA | The world eagerly awaits the day when we can announce a cure for HIV. Reports now indicate that this day may be near. Several individuals have been cured of HIV around the world, which raises several questions. HIV attacks the body’s …
Read More »Childhood Hepatitis B risk high despite vaccine
Health official list challenges hinder birth dose vaccination efforts Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | Despite the introduction of the Hepatitis B (HBV) birth dose vaccine in 2023, public health officials acknowledge persistent challenges in achieving optimal immunisation coverage for new-borns. A major obstacle is the high number of births occurring …
Read More »MTN aids health facility in Luuka district
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN Uganda, through its philanthropic arm, MTN Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare access in Uganda with a significant donation valued at more than Shs58.3 million to Nawansega Health Centre III in Luuka District. The donation includes essential medical equipment such as a …
Read More »‘Night owls’ appear to have better brain function, new study finds
But there is a wide range of cognitive performance within each chronotype ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | A person’s chronotype defines what time of the day a person is most active based on their sleeping patterns. For example, are you the type of person who wakes up early and is most active …
Read More »Heat exposure during pregnancy
It can lead to a lifetime of health problems ANALYSIS | MATTHEW CHERSICH & DARSHNIKA PEMI LAKHOO | Climate change is one of the greatest public health threats humanity has ever faced. Global warming is part of this threat. Increasing temperatures are linked to deteriorating health, especially in vulnerable populations, including …
Read More »Investing in African health tech
African-led health tech has improved the lives of millions of patients. But systemic change in global health procurement is needed to support local innovations ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | In a remote village in Rwanda, a life-saving medicine delivery takes place. A drone, operated by Zipline; an American company that designs, manufactures, …
Read More »HIV breakthrough
Drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection ANALYSIS | LINDA-GAIL BEKKER | A large clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda has shown that a twice-yearly injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection. The trial tested whether …
Read More »Interesting facts about Uganda’s health workforce
Country had a shortage of 190,000 health workers in 2022 Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | The government must strengthen its governance, stewardship, and financing structures to ensure that the training, recruitment and retention of the country’s health workforce is informed by the health needs of Ugandans. The country’s resources must …
Read More »Your wig could be poisoning you
Study finds pesticides and other toxic chemicals in synthetic hair ANALYSIS | NWANNE DIKE IJERE | Well-groomed hair is a symbol of beauty for many black African women. Natural hair requires special care and attention, though, which can be time consuming. Wigs (human or synthetic hair), weave-ons and other artificial hair …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price