HEALTH – KMAUPDATES

Aug42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – South Africa: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) applauds South Africa for championing health safeguards at meeting of World Trade Organization (WTO) members

HEALTH

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 4, 2020/ -- As World Trade Organization (WTO) members met on 30 July for a Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council formal session, South Africa took leadership in highlighting that the intellectual property (IP) barriers that stand in the way of access to COVID-19 drugs, tests and vaccines must be urgently overcome, and called on WTO members to explore new bold measures. The statement delivered on 30 July follows an intervention made by South Africa last month in an informal session of the TRIPS Council and a paper submitted by the country earlier this month entitled ‘Intellectual Property and the Public Interest: Beyond access to medicines and medical technologies towards a more holistic approach to TRIPS flexib...

Aug22020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Migrant workers and remittances in the context of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa

CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, EAST AFRICA, HEALTH

ROME, Italy, August 2, 2020• African migrants stimulate economic growth and development in areas of destination, transit and origin through their labour, skills transfer, consumption and investments. Their remittances also make significant contributions to food security, human capital, rural development and overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in areas of origin.• The impact of COVID-19 affects migrant workers disproportionally. Often precarious working conditions and overcrowded living and transport arrangements increase their vulnerability to contagion and loss of employment, threatening their health and livelihoods. Those working under informal arrangements, commonly in the agriculture sector, are largely excluded from accessing real-time reliable information, social protection, health...

Aug22020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Coronavirus – Rwanda: Robots use in Rwanda to fight against COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS, Covid 19 Donations, COVID-19, FEATURE STORIES, HEALTH, INTERNATIONAL, World Health Organization

To minimize contact time with confirmed cases and therefore reducing the risk of contamination of health professionals in COVID-19 treatment centres, robots were deployedGENEVA, Switzerland, August 2, 2020/ -- One of the challenges being faced worldwide is the rate of infection of health professionals while treating COVID-19 patients. 2016 statistics show the following picture of Rwanda’s health sector: 1/50,505 ground ambulance / population Ratio; 1/10,055 Doctor/population ratio; 1/1,094 Nurse/population ratio; 1/10,500 Laboratory technicians /population ratio.Although Rwanda is on track to meeting most of the required quota, the country cannot afford the set back that a pandemic like COVID-19 among health professionals would cause.To minimize contact time with confirmed cases and there...

Aug22020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Coronavirus – Uganda: The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Uganda is 1182

CORONAVIRUS, EAST AFRICA, HEALTH, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, WORLD

KAMPALA, Uganda, August 2, 2020/ -- Results from COVID-19 tests done on 01 August 2020- 6 new COVID-19 cases confirmed. The cumulative total confirmed cases of Ugandans are now 1,182.- 2 truck drivers arrived via Malaba- 3 returnees: 2 arrived from Somalia and 1 arrived from Saudi Arabia- 1 alert from Nakaseke- 5 foreign truck drivers tested positive for COVID-19 at the borders and their entry into the country was not permitted.- Ugandan recoveries: 1,045- Samples from Points of Entry tested today: 1,603- Samples from alerts and contacts: 1,304- Total samples tested today: 2,907 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health - Republic of Uganda.

Aug12020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: 48yr old arrested for defiling, infecting five minors with HIV /Aids

AFRICA, HEALTH, UGANDA

Police in Masaka District in central Uganda are holding a 48 -year -old man for allegedly defiling underage girls who he later infected with HIV/Aids.The suspect is a carpenter in Masaka Town and is a resident of Bwabikere Village, Kalagala Parish in Mukungwe Sub County in Masaka City. It is alleged that he has been defiling children between ages of eight and13.Police say the suspect was caught defiling a minor by a resident who quickly reported the case to the village chairperson, Mr Paul Lutaaya.Ms Juliet Shida, the officer in charge of Children’s Affairs at Masaka Central Police Station said the suspect had been subjected to an HIV test as part of police investigations. “The suspect was taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and he was found to be HIV positive. After getting ...

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: Uganda Prisons gets machines to increase the diagnosis of TB

AFRICA, HEALTH, UGANDA

The Ministry of Health has handed over four GeneXpert machines to Uganda Prisons Service in order to increase diagnosis and detection of Tuberculosis among prisoners in Uganda. According to the officials,TB is the biggest cause of death among prisoners in Uganda therefore the additional machines will provide an opportunity for expanded capacity for TB diagnosis and detection of the resistant strains among inmates allowing for prompt initiation of treatment. According to Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Health, recent studies show that TB prevalence is 10 times more in our prisons than in the general population. She said this is due to over congestion among other factors thus the need for timely testing and treatment if found with TB. Atwine said the ...

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Rift Valley Fever hits Kabale

AFRICA, HEALTH, UGANDA

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Kabale District. The confirmation comes after Robert Mwesigye, a boda boda rider at Voice of Kigezi stage in Kabale town, died on July 22 at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital where he was rushed after presenting signs and symptoms of the RVF. One of the boda boda operators at Voice of Kigezi stage, who preferred anonymity, said by the time they rushed Mwesigye to hospital, he had severe headache, sore throat, vomiting, cough and was complaining of muscle and joint pains. The Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Health, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, yesterday said they had started tracing those who came in contact with the deceased. “We appeal to the public to be vigilant to avoid contracting t...

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Government has permitted private laboratories to exercise Covid-19 tests

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

The Ministry of Health has said it has allowed private laboratories to carry out Coronavirus tests provided they are approved by a committee of scientists. Speaking while issuing an update on the pandemic in the country on Thursday, the Health Minister. Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng confirmed the development adding that three private laboratories have so far been cleared for the same. “The accredited private laboratories include MBN on Plot 28, Nakasero road( opposite Multiplex headquarters), Lancet on Plot 99/101 Madhavani building on Buganda road(opposite YMCA) and Medipal International H on Plot 1-A, Lower Kololo Terrace,” Aceng said. “Other Laboratories have been assessed and accredited and 12 are ready for operationalization. Of these, three are public, three private and six research l...

Jul312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SUDAN: Violence cuts off access to health services for 14,000 children

AFRICA, HEALTH, SUDAN

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 30, 2020/ -- A spike in tribal violence in western Darfur in Sudan has cut off more than 14,000 children from life-saving health services, as Save the Children was forced to close two health facilities and its field office in Masterei. The health facilities were the only two centres which provided health and nutrition services for children in the area.Earlier this week in Masterei, sixty people were reportedly killed in a conflict between communities, including five children. Nine more children were wounded. This followed an earlier attack by an armed group on July 17th, which also affected a Save the Children sub office in Elgeniena. For the safety of its staff, Save the Children had to close the sub office. A week later, the health facilities were temporaril...

Jul302020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – South Sudan: With EU support, WHO enhances standard infection prevention and control practices in laboratories to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in South Sudan

HEALTH

JUBA, South Sudan, July 30, 2020/ -- Over 50 health workers in Juba have been trained this past week with the aim to enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in laboratories and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and other infectious diseases. With funding from the European Union (EU), the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the South Sudan Ministry of Health has trained laboratory experts on principles of COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in the laboratory. The training emphasized imparting competencies on universal precautions and safe handling, segregation, disinfection and disposal of infectious and hazardous laboratory waste. The trainees were also oriented on the current WHO IPC guidelines for managing COVID-19 sample...

Jul302020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: 17 NRM staff quarantined over Covid-19

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

“After a thorough analysis of the risk and exposure of members of this office, two staff have been taken under isolation and 17 others designated as high risks have been put under institutional quarantine for 14 days,” the NRM spokesperson, Rogers Mulindwa said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. Following the development, the party headquarters were disinfected thoroughly whereas all staff that had not undergone mandatory testing on Monday will be tested on Thursday. This website has also learnt that staff members who had earlier on Monday been tested will have to repeat the exercise in a week’s time as part of the measures to avoid the spread of the virus. “Starting tomorrow (Thursday), there is going to be strict observance of the SOPs to minimise exposure and risk,”Mulindw...

Jul302020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

WHO Africa Online Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa

HEALTH

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), July 30, 2020/ -- Please join an online media briefing with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa (www.afro.who.int), Dr. Matshidiso Moeti and World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari. The briefing is on-the-record and it is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the COVID-19 in Africa. The media briefing is facilitated by APO Group.Speakers include: Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for AfricaDr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Date: Thursday 30 JulyTime: 12:00 Brazzaville/Kinshasa Time GMT +1 / 13:00 Cairo TimeTo attend, please register at: https://APO-opa.com/whoInterpretation will be provided in Ara...

Jul302020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Health worker in Budaka tests positive for Covid-19, 6 others are quarantined

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

A health worker attached to Lyama health center III in Lyama sub county in Budaka district has tested positive for Covid-19. Dr. Erisa Mulwani, the Budaka District Health Officer, said the health worker is a contact of the late Eunice Chimatala, who succumbed to Covid19 at Joy Hospice Clinic in Mbale district last week. Mulwani explained that the health worker is a part time staff at Buwansunguyi Health II in Namisindwa where the late Chimatala worked as a cleaner. The health worker is currently admitted at the regional Covid-19 isolation unit at Mbale regional referral Hospital for treatment. In addition, six health workers have been quarantined at Lyama health center III and are now tracing their contacts. Grace Iliotu, the Budaka District Information Officer, said Lyama ...

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Uganda: Eight foreign truck drivers tested positive for COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

KAMPALA, Uganda, July 29, 2020/ -- Eight (8) foreign truck drivers (7 Kenyans and 1 Tanzanian) tested positive for COVID-19 at the border points of entry and their entry into the country was not permitted.

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: 2 Staff members of NRM test Positive to Covid-19

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

Two staff at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus. NRM Secretary General Justine Lumumba has confirmed that two of their key staff tested positive for the virus. Lumumba posted on her Facebook page saying, "This morning, two of our key staff at the National Resistance Movement - NRM Party Secretariate tested positive for COVID-19 and have been admitted to the Hospital for proper care. We are working with the technical people and further guidance will be given in due course. I urge everyone to stay alert, healthy and safe." The NRM Secretariat sits on plot 10 and plot 13 on Kyadondo Road. As of July 29, the accumulative confirmed cases stood at 1,140 after teh Ministry of Health registered 5 new cases.

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: U.S. and Ghana work together to achieve Malaria Elimination and Zero Malaria Deaths by 2030

ghana, HEALTH

ACCRA, Ghana, July 28, 2020/ -- On July 28, 2020, the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, virtually joined the Government Statistician of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, and the Program Manager of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dr. Keziah Malm, to launch the 2019 Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) results. The launch highlighted impressive results in malaria control, including a nationwide 32 percent decrease in malaria prevalence in children under five, from 21 percent in 2016 to 14 percent in 2019.The survey, conducted by GSS and NMCP, provides critical data to monitor progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana’s National Malaria Strategic Plan to achieve malaria elimination and zero malaria deaths by 2030. ...

Jul292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: UNAIDS is hopeful that a new long-acting HIV prevention option will soon become available for women in sub-Saharan Africa

AFRICA, HEALTH

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 28, 2020/ -- UNAIDS congratulates the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) on obtaining a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the dapivirine vaginal ring. The monthly ring adapts a medical technology commonly used as a contraceptive device to deliver the antiretroviral medicine dapivirine to prevent HIV.“UNAIDS welcomes the advances made to make the dapivirine ring available to women in sub-Saharan Africa where around 4500 adolescent girls and young women become infected with HIV every week,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Continued investment in research is needed to fill the HIV prevention gap for women and give them the options they need to protect themselves from HIV.”Two phase III studies evaluated u...

Jul282020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: How to kill 99% of germs on any face mask in just a few minutes

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH

Purell hand sanitizer, Suave hand sanitizer that’s just as popular, and Purell sanitizing wipes are all essentials that you need to have on hand so you can disinfect surfaces. That said, they’re definitely not the only sanitizing products you need. It doesn’t matter what kind of face covering you use. Regardless of whether it’s one of Amazon’s best-selling 50¢ coronavirus face masks or a thicker covering like popular MagiCare KN95 face masks or 3M N100 face masks, you know that these masks are all disposable. That said, prices are very high right now because we’re in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. That means people really want to get their money’s worth, so many people want to reuse their face masks at least a few times before disposing of them. Infectious traces of th...

Jul262020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

African Union launches a new program on Migration and Health

HEALTH

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 26, 2020/ -- The nexus between migration and health is conspicuously apparent at this time of corona virus which permeates all spheres of life. The situation of migrants and refugees in Africa is exacerbated by the pervasive spectre of conflicts, climate change and impact of irregular migration. This, compounded by recent outbreaks of illnesses declared, the public health emergencies of global concern and pandemics such as COVID-19, presents Africa with a huge fast-paced challenge requiring dynamism all response approaches shaped by African Union Member States. Inadequate access to health services and unfavourable conditions many migrants live and work in, make them subject to a variety of health risks. This concerns in particular vulnerable groups, includin...

Jul252020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: World food Programme (WFP) East Africa COVID-19 Update, 23 July 2020

HEALTH

ROME, Italy, July 25, 2020/ -- Regional Overview • WFP estimates that the number of acutely food insecure people in East Africa could increase by 73 percent - from 24 million pre-COVID-19 to 41.5 million before the end of 2020 – in the region consisting of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti and Eritrea.• The triple threat of COVID-19, floods and locusts could have catastrophic consequences for the region. The pandemic strikes at a time when the region is fighting an ongoing desert locust outbreak. FAO projects that the locust outbreak alone could result in an additional 1.5 to 2.5 million people being severely food insecure due to a heightened risk to crops and pasture during the main harvest season from July to September. The region is also experi...