Weekly Health News Highlights

Africa needs to raise vaccination rate to meet the target: report

By the East African; 

Africa needs to ramp up its Covid-19 vaccination rate six times to achieve the target of fully vaccinating 70 percent of its population by the end of June 2022.

 https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/science-health/africa-needs-to-increase-vaccination-rate-3704960 

Motorcycles project for health workers launched

By New Vision; 

 The Nurses and Midwives Union has launched a motorcycle project aimed at easing transport at their workplace. Speaking during the launch on Saturday, Wilson Owere, the General Chairman National Trade Union Organisation (NOTU), welcomed the move to offer health workers alternative ways of using motorcycles, saying it was timely as health workers were affected by transport during COVID-19

https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/126346/motorcycles-project-for-health-workers-launch 

Covid: South Africa makes its own version of the Moderna vaccine

By BBC; 

Scientists in South Africa have made a copy of the Moderna Covid vaccine, a move that they say could help boost vaccination rates across Africa. The continent currently has the lowest uptake of Covid shots in the world

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60258088 

 Jiggers attack 650 residents of Rukungiri

By Daily Monitor; 

At least 650 people in Bwambare Sub-county, Rukungiri District, have been suffering from jigger infestation since August last year.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/jiggers-attack-650-residents-of-rukungiri-3705120

Novavax Covid jab approved by UK drugs regulator

By BBC; 

The UK has approved a fifth Covid-19 vaccine, developed by US company Novavax, which offers up to 89% protection against Covid illness. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has said it is safe as a first and second dose in adults.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60245736 

New ‘highly virulent’ HIV strain discovered

By Daily Monitor;

Oxford researchers announced Thursday the discovery of a highly virulent strain of HIV that has been lurking in the Netherlands for decades, but because of the effectiveness of modern treatments, is “no cause for alarm.” 

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/new-highly-virulent-hiv-strain-discovered–3705378 

Smear tests might help pick up ovary and breast cancers

By BBC;
Cells collected during smear tests for cervical cancer might be useful for detecting early tumours elsewhere, such as in the breasts and ovaries, research suggests. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60205239 

Access to safe water key for better nutrition among children

By New Vision; 

 Although malnutrition in Uganda has been decreasing in recent years, wasting and stunting levels among children remain very high. The causes of undernutrition in children under five are multidimensional.  

https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/126302/access-to-safe-water-key-for-better-nutrition

Uganda’s COVID-19 infections, deaths continue to fall

By New Vision; 

 The latest daily figures have shown that the number of people testing positive for coronavirus and those dying has continued to fall in Uganda. Ministry of health recorded 67 new cases on Saturday (February 5), down from 87 registered the previous day. 

 https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/126297/ugandas-covid-19-infections-deaths-continue-t 

Hunger stalks 20m in East Africa as 2030 nears

The East African; 

 Food insecurity continues to stalk eastern Africa, with four countries counting 19.5 million people in its population among those feeling the severity of its bite. 

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/hunger-stalks-20m-in-ea-as-2030-nears-3706224