Study compares it with watching TV, movies, or reading on a mobile device ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | A new Norwegian study finds that one hour of screen time at bedtime results in a 59% higher risk of insomnia and 24 fewer minutes of sleep. The findings indicate that social media use …
Read More »Africa CDC unveils plan to transform health financing
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | With external health aid to Africa projected to drop by 70% between 2021 and 2025, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a continent-wide strategy aimed at transforming how health systems are financed. The steep decline in official development …
Read More »‘The Hospital of the East’ can regain its glory
Dr Okoth: We need to change a situation where a cross- section of our people in the Eastern Uganda are forced to remain home to die when faced with the need to seek more sophisticated medical treatment by travelling to Kampala – or Nairobi. COMMENT | DR ANTHONY OKOTH NDIRA …
Read More »AFDB: Africans should stop crying over lost USAID aid
“Africa should improve governance in order to improve transparency, close illicit financial flows. Africa loses almost ninety billion dollars every year. That is far much more than we get from aid and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) every year” Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire | THE INDEPENDENT | African Development Bank Group Secretary General …
Read More »Mpox testing gaps raise risk of cross-border spread
Scientists raise alarm about new variants, urge national disease testing ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Foreign aid cuts could result in a major outbreak of mpox across the African continent and beyond, with virus control measures already disrupted, public health experts warn. Mpox testing and monitoring efforts in hotspot areas like the …
Read More »Italy launches ‘baby bonus’ scheme to combat declining birthrate
ROME | Xinhua | Italy’s new “baby bonus” initiative was launched on Monday, marking the latest step in the country’s ongoing efforts to reverse its declining birthrate. The Italian National Institute for Social Security on Monday unveiled the formal process for families to access a tax-free allowance of 1,000 euros …
Read More »Omanyi Okuwuga Project reaches Masaka, Govt challenged to help communities end drowning
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In the wake of increasing drowning incidents across Uganda, experts are urging the government to engage local communities more actively in water safety initiatives. This call comes on the heels of multiple media reports detailing recent drowning cases, including the tragic deaths of …
Read More »Breaking Stereotypes: More men join nursing
Despite historical biases, men are increasingly becoming a vital part of the nursing workforce — delivering compassionate care and technical expertise equal to their female counterparts. Kampala, Uganda |THE INDEPENDENT | Richard Masereka is changing careers — from driving to nursing. A former professional driver with Kira Motors, Masereka has …
Read More »Nabilatuk residents protest exclusion from medical store construction jobs
Nabilatuk, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Nabilatuk District have called on district authorities to ensure that local labour is prioritised in ongoing and future construction projects within the district. The appeal stems from growing frustration over the alleged exclusion of local workers in the construction of the Nabilatuk Medical …
Read More »Uganda’s boda boda bikes are deadly polluters
Study models how going electric could save lives Kampala, Uganda | GABRIEL OKELLO | In Uganda, motorcycles known as boda bodas are a key part of the transport system. The country has over 1.5 million boda bodas on the road, amounting to roughly 70% of all vehicles. Boda bodas are crucial in …
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