Health

The Parliament Health Committee has recently recommended a significant increase in taxes on products known to have harmful effects such as tobacco and alcohol. Saying that the proposed 20% hike aims at bridging the gap left by donors, who have pointed out plans to reduce funding to Uganda’s health sector. According to Dr. Charles Ayume the Chairperson Health Committee during the presentation of the ministerial policy statement for the health sector, over the years, health development partners have supported the...

The Ministry of Health through the Munoonye HIV testing campaign is set to identify children and adolescents who are living with HIV but have not yet started treatment. The communication was made by Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health on April 12, 2024, during the launch of the Munoonye HIV testing campaign supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the Ministry Head offices in Kampala. According to Atwine, the campaign will target over...

As the United States commemorates National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day on April 10th, 2024, the focus turns to the critical need for heightened awareness and action in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against a virus that has claimed millions of lives worldwide. According to recent statistics, HIV/AIDS remains a threat to global health, particularly among the youth demographic. With approximately 38 million people currently living...

Dr. Annet Kisakye, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Immunization and Surveillance Officer has praised the efforts of Ugandan politicians in spearheading the Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign and encouraging city residents to participate in the vaccination drive. This follows the nationwide yellow fever vaccination campaign, which kicked off on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and will run until April 8, covering 53 districts across Uganda. According to Dr. Kisakye, the vaccine will provide lifetime protection against yellow fever, emphasizing the long-term benefits of...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly known as autism, represents a broad range of developmental disorders impacting brain function, characterised by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours. Autism often presents itself in early childhood through diagnosis and may also occur later in life. In Uganda, awareness and understanding of autism remain limited, leading to significant gaps in support and care for affected individuals. According to Florence Namaganda, founder and CEO of Mukisa Foundation and Dawn Children Centre facilities, many parents...

The government has successfully obtained a grant worth $6.8 million from Japan to refurbish the infrastructure at Jinja and Soroti Regional Referral Hospitals. The Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement was signed today, March 26, 2024, by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Inoue Yoichi (Chief Representative of JICA in Uganda), and H.E Yoshimura Tomotaka (Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Uganda). The grant agreement, valued at JPY 941,000,000, will be utilized for the improvement of medical equipment at the...