Uganda News

6 April 2018, Kampala:- Uganda is slowly but surely moving toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which is the cornerstone for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3 on the global development agenda.  This was the consensus from participants at a high-level breakfast meeting hosted by the World Health Organization Country Office in commemoration of World Health Day 2018 which also marks the 70th birthday of the organization. 

Maureen (not real name), an HIV+ mother of two, is a Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) survivor. Her story is similar to many other TB patients who have contracted TB unknowingly. Maureen contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2013 while on a bus from Arua to Kampala. “A man seated behind me, in the bus coughed so hard, and the smell of his breath was so bad,” she narrates.

Hoima, 22 March 2018:- On 19th March 2018, twenty (20) new patients were admitted to the Cholera Treatment Centers (CTCs), most of whom (77%) were new arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of that date, the cumulative number of cases reported was 1,747 with 36 deaths (CFR 2.06%). No deaths were recorded in all CTCs or in the isolation units. The cases are from Kyangwali, Kabwoya and Buseruka sub-counties. There are no cases in Hoima municipality. 

Kampala, 5 March 2018:- The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened a three-day After Action Review (AAR) meeting to evaluate Uganda's preparedness in responding to public health emergencies after the recent Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Kapchorwa and Kween districts. During the meeting, public health experts will examine the detection and response framework for public health hazards right from the National Task Force (NTF), the incident command management system, the various technical sub-committees and their linkages to district structures.

The President of The Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for countrywide sensitization of the people about non-genetic the causes of infertility because they are avoidable and preventable.  

28 February 2018, Hoima: - The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Ministry of Health in Uganda to respond to the Cholera outbreak in Kyangwali refugee camp, in Hoima district. As of 28 February, over 1000 cases have been registered and 31 people confirmed dead at the two treatment centers in Kasonga and Sebagoro in Kyangwali and Kabwoya sub-counties respectively.

The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, The Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has called for increased access to cancer services in the country. She made the call at the national commemoration of World Cancer Day 2018, under the theme: “We can. I can.”, held at the Parliament of Uganda.

The Ministry of Health in Uganda confirmed an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley Fever in Nakasseke and Luwero respectively. 

Earlier in December 2017, the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) confirmed a positive case of CCHF in Nakaseke district. As of January 18, 2018, two confirmed and seven suspected cases had been investigated in Nakaseke district. Three of the seven suspected cases were close relatives of the patient. Samples from the seven suspected cases tested negative for CCHF. 

The new World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Uganda, Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam has formally assumed duty on 23 January 2018 with the presentation of his Credentials to Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Sam Kutesa. The presentation took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and was witnessed by dignitaries from MOFA and the WHO country office.

The new World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Uganda, Dr Tegegn Yonas Woldemariam, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and the Minister of Health in their respective offices following his arrival in the country.