Tapping into its vast genomic research potential will require steady investment, capacity-building, and collaboration COMMENT | COLLEN MASIMIREMBWA | Africa is the continent with the most genetic diversity, but is gravely underrepresented in genomic research, with only 2% of global genomic data coming from people of African ancestry as of 2021. …
Read More »High-level global summit on traditional medicine
WHO event to explore evidence and opportunities to accelerate health Kampala, Uganda | AGENCIES | The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening the first ever Traditional Medicine Global Summit on 17 and 18 August 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. It is c0o-hosted by the Government of India, which holds the G20 …
Read More »UCU graduates first cohort of medicine, dentistry Programme
Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The first cohort of students in the Bachelor of Medicine and Dentistry Program has graduated from Uganda Christian University-UCU. At Friday’s ceremony, 45 students graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery and nine students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery. They …
Read More »NEW POLICY: Separate body to oversee plant, animal health
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Cabinet has approved the proposed amendments to the National Drug Policy and Authority Act, creating a new body responsible for overseeing the quality of agricultural and veterinary health inputs. This role was formerly under the National Drug Authority (NDA). This decision was made following …
Read More »URA confiscates illicit medicine at Entebbe International Airport
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday impounded drugs that were being smuggled into the country through Entebbe International Airport. URA’s non-intrusive inspection scanner at the airport identified the hidden drugs in the personal belongings of Kizigo J. Farouk, a regular Ugandan trader. Simon Esunget, the URA …
Read More »Fighting Drug Theft: The story of delivery clerk Humphrey Kuyate
SPECIAL FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | For many years, the Ugandan government has been grappling with rising cases of theft of medicines in public health facilities. To address this challenge, National Medical Stores (NMS), a government agency which delivers medicines and supplies up to the health facilities’ doorsteps across the country, …
Read More »NMS: Planning is essential in managing medicine stock outs
SPECIAL FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | For over 20 years, Jennifer Nsita, mother of six and resident of Dwoli village in Hoima district, has been receiving medical treatment from Dwoli Health Center III. The 38-year-old says that at this facility, they are treated for illnesses such as malaria, cough, headaches …
Read More »U.S. Govt partnership with NMS countering theft of medicines
SPECIAL FEATURE | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has started reaping the benefits of a partnership with the United States in terms of strengthened transparency in the management of public medicines and health supplies. The U.S. government helped NMS build a strong and modern health supply chain system which has …
Read More »Africa: Insect meat loaf, fertilizer trees, and mosquito-repelling plants
The Promise of Africa’s Bio-economy GUEST COLUMN | OUSMANE BADIANE & JOACHIM VON BRAUN – ALL AFRICA.COM | Africa feels the impacts of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change perhaps more than any other region in the world. The costs of food, fuel, and fertilizer have skyrocketed over the past …
Read More »Arch. Ssemogerere hails Ssenfuka for cancer, diabetes remedies
Lusanja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Paul Ssemogerere has lauded herbalist David Ssenfuka’s efforts in the treatment of cancer and diabetes. Ssenfuka became a household name for coming up with a concoction that those who have used it have testified to having improved their diabetes …
Read More »