Weekly Health News Highlights
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02/12/2024
Reducing teenage pregnancies
Uganda faces a significant public health challenge with its high rates of teenage pregnancy. According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 24% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 become pregnant or have already given birth.
https://www.independent.co.ug/reducing-teenage-pregnancies/
African health ministers commit to end malaria deaths
They pledged to sustainably and equitably address the threat of malaria in the African region, which accounts for 95% of malaria deaths globally.
https://www.who.int/news/item/06-03-2024-african-health-ministers-commit-to-end-malaria-deaths
German patients vaccinated against COVID-19 217 times
A 62-year-old man from Germany has, against medical advice, been vaccinated 217 times against Covid, doctors report.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-68477735
A new manual released to support the diagnosis of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders added in ICD-11
The manual has been developed using the latest available scientific evidence and best clinical practices and is designed to support qualified mental health and other health professionals in identifying and diagnosing mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders in clinical settings.
First over-the-counter birth control pill shipped in the US
The first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill is now being shipped to US pharmacies.
The Food and Drug Administration last year approved the birth control pill Opill to be available without a prescription for women of all ages.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66191585
A wave of new commitments marks a historic step towards the elimination of cervical cancer
New country, policy, and program commitments, plus nearly US$ 600 million in new funding, at the first-ever global forum offer a chance to save hundreds of thousands of lives by 2030.
A new report documents an increase in HIV drug resistance to dolutegravir
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest HIV Drug Resistance (HIVDR) Report tells us where drug resistance is growing and offers recommendations for countries to monitor and respond to the potential challenges.
Disruptive weather patterns demand disaster preparedness
Being aware of potential threats helps us to take timely precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
https://nation.africa/kenya/health/disruptive-weather-patterns-demand-disaster-preparedness-4549624
Up to 10 million Ugandans ignored COVID-19 booster doses
A booster dose is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the first (or primary) dose has been provided. Booster shots are given to remind the body’s immune system of the infection it must defend against. This enhances or boosts the immune system.
https://www.independent.co.ug/up-to10-million-ugandans-ignored-covid-19-booster-doses/
Experts concerned about blood wastage in Africa
According to the WHO, in developed countries, the blood wastage rate is reported to be between 0.1% and 6.7%. There is however limited information on blood wastage in Sub-Saharan African countries.
https://www.independent.co.ug/experts-concerned-about-blood-wastage-in-africa/
