Beat NCDs: Rwanda Celebrates First Car-Free Day, While Kenya Plans Air Pollution Sensors

04/02/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher

Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, celebrated its first car-free day today, while a Kenyan telecom company was reported to have launched a major initiative to install 3,000 low-cost air pollution sensors around the country, in response to growing fears about air pollution’s health impacts. Continue reading ->

Tafenoquine – Milestone In Journey Towards Malaria Elimination

23/01/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher

Tafenoquine, the first new drug to be developed in over 60 years to treat relapsing malaria, has in fact been around since the late 1970s, when researchers with the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research first took note of its antimalarial properties. But the drug’s potential to cure relapsing malaria caused by the Plasmodium vivax parasite, the less deadly but most widespread malaria species, has only been recently been recognised. Continue reading ->

Video: Stopping Malaria Relapse – New Approaches For An Old Disease

22/01/2019 Editorial team

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) tells the story of the new single-dose tefanoquine treatment for relapsing malaria, caused by the Plasmodium vivax species of the parasite – the most widespread in the world. Continue reading ->

Kenyan Doctors’ Professional Body Proposes Fee Reduction To Support UHC

21/01/2019 Fredrick Nzwili

NAIROBI, Kenya – In an effort made to support the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) in Kenya, a doctors’ board has proposed the cutting of doctors' professional fees, signalling a chance for better times for ordinary citizens in the coming days. Continue reading ->

Single Dose Drug Effective For Recurrent Malaria, Trial Results Show

17/01/2019 Editorial team

A powerful new single-dose anti-malarial drug can significantly lower the risk of recurrent malaria from the Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) species of the parasite, according to clinical trial results published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Continue reading ->

As Waistlines Increase, Diabetes Sets In In Tanzania

15/01/2019 Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM -- As she walks through a narrow passage in Tandale slum in Dar es Salaam to work, Lulu Kambogi braves the taunts shouted at her: “Bonge, Bonge, Bonge.” (Fat woman) Continue reading ->

Tanzania Approves Herbs To Treat Erectile Dysfunction

07/01/2019 Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM -- As rain sprinkled on the muddy soil, Patrick Nyembo and his wife Agnes waded on the mud-soaked pathway to a remote village in western Tanzania as they desperately try to reach a herbalist whose herbs are believed to treat a very embarrassing problem. Continue reading ->

Criminalisation Of HIV/AIDS Transmission Undermining Efforts To Combat The Disease, Panellists Say

20/12/2018 Justus Wanzala

Criminalisation of HIV/AIDS transmission, a widespread phenomenon in Africa, is undermining efforts towards fighting the disease. This emerged during the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA), attended by some 3,000 researchers, scientists, policymakers and students from all over the world. The forum, which ran from 12-14 December in Pretoria, is Africa’s premier science, technology and innovation event. Continue reading ->

Kenyan President Launches Benchmark Universal Health Coverage Pilot, To Become Nationwide In 18 Months

13/12/2018 Fredrick Nzwili

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta today announced the launch of a universal health coverage (UHC) plan, positioning Kenya as a leader in achieving quality and affordable healthcare in the African continent. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization top management used the opportunity to announce some changes in the way the organisation works. Continue reading ->

Tanzania’s New Health Policy To Recognise Neglected Tropical Diseases

11/12/2018 Kizito Makoye

TABORA, Tanzania -- At first glance, the village looks quiet and beautiful. Unfortunately, life has not been affirming for dozens of its inhabitants. They have leprosy—a least contagious and curable disease, except for its two worst characteristics — poverty and neglect. Continue reading ->