Children
From the affect under resourced hospitals have on children’s health to what life is like for a child orphaned by AIDS, KCs document the experiences of young people living in their communities.
They also report the day-to-day experiences of children and young people living with TB, HIV, STIs and other health issues, as well as examining the everyday reality of teenager pregnancy and young marriage.
KCs also report news of health initiatives for children and the success and failures of existing child-focused healthcare schemes.
Rusekere teen dreams of being a nurse after delivering ahead of exam
Harriet Kobusinge, 16, a student in Western Uganda, went into labor as she waited to sit a physics exam. The teenager gave birth less than three hours later - then returned to school to finish the exam and sit another one, and now has hopes of being a nurse. KC Araali reports. more
As young as nine, girls are forced into marriage
KC Hope Marafanga reports on the situation of child brides in Uganda. more
First malaria vaccine works in major trial
From www.newvision.co.ug
An experimental vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline halved the risk of African children getting malaria in a major clinical trial, making it likely to become the world’s first shot against the deadly disease. go
Efavirenz may be under-dosed in children study shows
From www.aidsmap.com
WHO 2010 guidelines for HIV-infected children aged three and above recommend the use of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Efavirenz, an NNRTI, suitable for once-daily dosing because of its long half-life and potent antiviral activity is one of the most preferred first-line ARVs for HIV-infected children. go
Low birthweight ‘linked to autism’, says US study
From www.bbc.co.uk
Babies born weighing less than 4lb (1.8kg) could be more prone to developing autism than children born at normal weight, a study suggests. go
Ugandan orphans recieve sh 17.7m worth of items from Norweigan rotary club
A Norwegian rotary club has donated sh 17.7m worth of items to a Ugandan orphanage. more
25 injured pupils find hospital closed
25 pupils from SDA Integrated Day and Boarding Primary School in Kasitu sub-county in Bundibugyo district, were admitted to Bundibugyo Hospital last Sunday in critical condition, after health workers were called in to reopen the hospital. When the school matron, … more
Ugandan cancer patients struggle to survive
Cancer patients struggle to survive the disease and costs, however most cancers can be prevented and treated effectively if detected early and treatment is made available. But frequent drug stock-outs and an ill-equipped health systems mean many patients cannot afford … more
Mothers encouraged to breastfeed to reduce infant mortality rate
Ugandan mothers have been encouraged to breastfeed children so as to reduce the country’s infant mortality rate. more
HIV blamed for high number of orphans
The Minister of Education, Jessica Alupo, has said HIV and AIDS and the high level of poverty have increased the number of orphans and other vulnerable children in Uganda, reports KC Hope Mafaranga. more
Is India meeting its commitment to provide free education for all children?
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) 2009 sought to make education accessible, free and compulsory for all children in India. But experts say the act’s provisions and outcomes reveal disconcerting features. KC Ashpreet Sethi reports. more
17,000 children immunization target in Kabarole ‘could be missed’
The district nursing officer in Kabarole, Western Uganda has warned that the district could fail to hit its target of immunizing 17,338 children under one for the year 2011-2012 – and has blamed a “lack of commitment” from staff for the failing, something health workers strongly deny. KC Araali reports. more
Traditional birth attendants trained on maternal health
Focusing on Maternal and Newborn Child Health - this photo was taken during a training session for traditional birth attendants in Busia, Kenya, on the importance of pregnant women visiting antenatal care and delivering in health centres. more
Health officer challenges mothers to breastfeed
Mothers have been challenged to put emphasis on exclusive breast feeding of their babies during the first six months in order to reduce infant mortality rate. more
Latest round of child saving fast-track initatives launched in Uganda
Uganda’s Ministry of Health yesterday (4 October 2011) launched its latest round of fast-track initiatives aimed at reducing child mortality rates and improving maternal health in the country. more
More scans recommended for unborn twins and triplets
From www.bbc.co.uk
Women expecting twins or triplets should be offered closer monitoring, including extra scans, according to new guidelines from the UK. go
United States government pledges millions to PMTCT in Uganda
The United States government has pledged 25 million dollars to support the prevention of HIV mother to child transmission progrmmes in Uganda.
more
Unicef Zimbabwe appoints new Goodwill Ambassador
Differently abled Zimbabwean songstress, Prudence Mabhena has been appointed the new Unicef Zimbabwe goodwill Ambassador to work closely with the organization on advocacy to protect children from all forms of violence, particularly those children who have disabilities.
more
Health workers trained in HIV testing and counselling for young people
Forty health workers in the eastern Uganda district of Katakwi are undergoing a two week training course on comprehensive HIV testing and counselling for children and adolescents. more
National child and social protection mechanisms revitalised in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean government has launched a plan to support orphans and vulnerable children in the country. more
Caring for children living with HIV in Africa
From www.aidstar-one.com
This report, Equipping Parents and Health Providers to Address the Psychological and Social Challenges of Caring for Children Living with HIV in Africa, provides information to better understand the psychological and social challenges faced in Africa by perinatally-infected children (aged 0-12 years), their parents/caregivers, and their health providers. go
Mother and child death rates down but still short of 2015 goal
From news.health.com
Mother and child death rates are declining faster than in the previous decade in more than half the countries around the world, an indication that international efforts to improve mother and child health are having an effect, researchers say. go
Previous infant death linked to raised risk of stillbirth
From news.health.com
Women whose first baby died within a year of birth are at increased risk for stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies, and the risk is especially high among black women, researchers report. go
Why you should circumcise your boy
From www.newvision.co.ug
When the midwife announced to Jane Akulo, a second-time mother, that she had given birth to a baby boy, Akulo knew she had an important decision to make — circumcision! For some parents, the choice is simple because it is based on cultural and religious beliefs. For others, making the decision is not easy. go
Health expert warns against teenage pregancy
A health expert in Teso sub region, Eastern Uganda, has cautioned girls aged below 20 years against getting pregnant due to the risks involved. more
Polio strain spreads to China from Pakistan
From www.bbc.co.uk
Polio has spread to China for the first time since 1999 after being imported from Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed. go
Uganda’s child mortality rate drops
From www.newvision.co.ug
Uganda is one of the few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa making significant progress in reducing child mortality, the latest report from UNICEF shows. go
Five-month-old baby needs an urgent operation
From www.monitor.co.ug
With a bulge under his overall, you don’t have to look twice at him to know that there is something swollen right below Elijah Katende’s chest. Five-month-old Katende was born with an ectopic heart (a condition where the heart is out of its normal position and is covered by a thin skin) and gastroschisis (a condition in which the intestines stick out of the body). go
The tragic consequences of stigma
Key Correspondent Jentiinora reports on the death of 15-year-old Moses Ongu, who passed away after refusing to take ARVs following bullying from school mates. more
Separating conjoined twins, Rital and Ritag: the journey
From www.bbc.co.uk
“We are very thankful to be able to look forward to going home with two separate, healthy girls,” said Rital and Ritag’s parents Drs Abdelmageed and Enas Gaboura. go
Cultural beliefs hamper cure of babies with brain swelling
From www.monitor.co.ug
According to cultural beliefs, an abnormal brain condition is caused by evil spirits that have “resurrected,” which is medically false. go
Majority of girls under age of consent first had sex with a neighbour, survey reveals
A survey into sexually active girls under the age of consent in Uganda has found that an overwhelming majority first had intercourse with a neighbour. The survey, conducted by an NGO Development Alternative [DELTER] in the districts of Soroti, in … more