Health

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP | As doctors scramble to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus, a potent brew of anti-retroviral and flu drugs has emerged as a possible defence against the mysterious sickness that has killed hundreds. But the science is inconclusive on whether they are actually effective and experts say successful treatment …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Institute of Health has stopped administration of vaccinations in its HVTN 702 clinical trial of an investigational HIV vaccine. This is after an independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) found during a review that the regimen did not prevent HIV. The study, …

  Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The UN health agency on Tuesday warned cancer cases would rise by 81 percent in low- and middle-income countries by 2040 because of a lack of investment in prevention and care. The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report that these countries had …

Kampala, Uganda  | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Ministry of Health has rolled out free screening and vaccination against hepatitis B in central Uganda. In the past, local leaders and Members of Parliament from Central Uganda have repeatedly petitioned the Ministry of Health demanding for free vaccination against the virus citing prohibitive …

Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Efforts to eliminate the Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD in Sembabule district could fail due to failure to fully enforce a cattle quarantine. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries imposed a quarantine on the district last year following reported cases of FMD. However, …

Scientists advise eating more onions and garlic | THE INDEPENDENT | New research examines the consumption of onion and garlic among women and suggests that the vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Onions and garlic are part of the allium genus, along with leeks, chives, and hundreds …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP |  The UN health agency on Thursday declared an international emergency over the deadly coronavirus from China — a rarely used designation that could lead to improved international co-ordination in tackling the disease. “Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries …

David Richmond reports that Uganda and six other African countries will this month sign a political declaration and a legally binding agreement committing them to introduce legislation on tough new criminal penalties. Niger’s government is sounding the alarm about bogus meningitis vaccines – and it is not the first time. …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has said that the using of HIV self-test kits among the key population is high. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng says while it’s too early to evaluate how many people are using test kits, she says monthly reports to the …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has revealed that as part of the measures to control the spread of the coronavirus they are equipping Entebbe and Naguru regional referral hospitals to handle any suspected cases if they arise. In a press statement, issued on Wednesday …