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Author: Phillip Mwebaza

Mpox Outbreak in Uganda: Reducing Stigma Through Effective Communication and Community Engagement

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has re-emerged in Uganda and neighbouring countries, raising concerns about public health responses and the stigma that often accompanies such outbreaks. Understanding mpox and addressing the stigma surrounding it is key to fostering effective community engagement and ensuring timely intervention to control its spread.

Understanding Mpox

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mpox as a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It primarily spreads from animals to humans but can also spread from person to person through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated objects. In humans, the disease presents symptoms similar to smallpox, though less severe.

Key signs and symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Rash that evolves into pustules and scabs
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches and fatigue

Currently, Uganda is grappling with an mpox outbreak that was first confirmed in July 2024, with 11 cases reported across several districts, including Kasese, Amuru, and Mayuge​(WHO | Regional Office for Africa). Surveillance systems are in place to monitor and curb further spread, but stigma remains a significant obstacle in health communication.

The Role of Stigma

Stigmatization of individuals with mpox, particularly in Uganda and other African countries, arises from misconceptions about the disease’s transmission and association with marginalized communities. The public’s unfamiliarity with mpox compounds the stigma, as many still confuse it with diseases like HIV/AIDS or smallpox.

This stigma discourages people from seeking medical attention early, leading to delayed diagnoses, continued transmission, and heightened public fear. In some communities, individuals may face isolation, ridicule, or even discrimination due to the visible rash, making it harder to reach out for help.

Effective Communication Strategies

To reduce stigma and improve mpox-related outcomes, it’s crucial to focus on the following:

  1. Clear, Consistent Messaging: Health authorities must provide information about mpox, focusing on transmission modes, prevention, and treatment. Messaging should emphasize that anyone can contract mpox, and it is not limited to any particular community.
  2. Community-Led Engagement: Involving local leaders, health workers, and community-based organizations ensures that messages are culturally relevant and reach marginalized populations. These groups can act as trusted sources of information and help dispel myths that fuel stigma.
  3. Media Campaigns: Leveraging radio, television, social media, and print media can amplify awareness and encourage those with symptoms to seek early treatment. These campaigns should normalize mpox as a treatable disease and promote compassion toward those affected.
  4. Training Healthcare Workers: Health professionals need training on how to manage mpox patients sensitively and address stigma concerns. Proper communication from medical personnel can encourage patients to follow preventive measures and receive treatment without fear of judgment.

Overview of the the AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty Health Info Hub

Overview of the AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty Health Info Hub

The AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty Health Info Hub is a cutting-edge platform on climate change and health. With its focus on educating and enthusing youth, Smarty uses gamified learning to make learning about climate health both efficient and pleasurable.

By combining various educational tools and resources, Smarty aims to build health-literate communities and promote sustainable health practices.

What is Smarty?

Smarty Health Info Hub is an interactive platform by the AFHEG Foundation that provides comprehensive information on climate change and its impact on health. It is tailored specifically for students aged 10–18 and young adults aged 18–28.

The platform uses creative storytelling, games, animations, podcasts, and courses to deliver complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.

Read about the Launch of Smarty.

Features of the AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty Health Info Hub

1. Gamified Learning
Interactive Games: Smarty includes a variety of educational games that make learning about climate health fun and interactive. These games reinforce the knowledge gained from other resources on the platform.

Challenges and Quizzes: Users can test their knowledge through quizzes and challenges, which provide immediate feedback and rewards for correct answers.

2. Educational Content
Courses: The platform offers structured courses on various topics related to climate and health. These courses are designed to be comprehensive and are broken down into easy-to-understand modules.

Animations: Engaging animations explain complex concepts in a visually appealing way, making it easier for learners to grasp the material.

3. Multimedia Resources
Podcasts: Smarty features a series of podcasts where experts discuss important climate-health topics. These podcasts provide valuable insights and up-to-date information.

Videos and Infographics: Multimedia content such as videos and infographics is used to highlight key points and data, making the information more digestible.

4. Community and Collaboration
Forums and Discussion Boards: Users can participate in forums and discussion boards to share their ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with peers and experts.

Events and Webinars: The AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty health info hub regularly hosts virtual events and webinars where users can interact with experts and learn about the latest developments in climate health.

5. User-Friendly Interface
Intuitive Design: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with easy navigation and a clean layout that enhances the learning experience.

Accessibility: Smarty is accessible on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, ensuring that users can learn anytime, anywhere.

How to Use the AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty Health Info Hub

1. Registration
Create an Account: Visit the AFHEG website and click on the Smarty section. Register by creating an account with your email address or through a social media login.

Profile Setup: Complete your profile by adding details such as your age group, interests, and learning goals. This helps tailor the content to your needs.

2. Explore the Dashboard
Dashboard Overview: After logging in, you will be directed to your dashboard. Here, you can see your progress, upcoming events, and recommended content.

Navigation: Use the navigation menu to access different sections, such as courses, games, podcasts, and forums.

3. Engage with Content
Enroll in Courses: Browse the available courses and enroll in those that interest you. Each course is divided into modules, which you can complete at your own pace.

Play Educational Games: Engage with the interactive games to reinforce your learning. Track your progress and try to beat your high scores.

Watch animations and videos: View the animations and videos to understand complex topics better. Take notes and review key points.

4. Participate in the Community
Join Discussions: Participate in forums and discussion boards. Share your insights, ask questions, and learn from others.

Attend Events: Register for upcoming webinars and virtual events. Interact with experts and expand your knowledge.

5. Track Your Progress
Achievements and Badges: Earn badges and certificates as you complete courses and participate in activities. These rewards can be displayed on your profile.

Feedback and Improvement: Use the feedback from quizzes and challenges to identify areas for improvement. Continuously work on enhancing your knowledge and skills.

The AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty health info hub offers various engaging and interactive features and makes learning an enjoyable experience.

Whether through gamified learning, multimedia resources, or community engagement, Smarty equips users with the information they need to make informed decisions and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world.

Learn more about the AFHEG Foundation’s Smarty health info hub by seeing our listing on the HundrED website

Understanding Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Prevention

Kidney stones are a common and often painful problem that affects around 500,000 people each year. While they can be quite painful, understanding their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention can help you to avoid them.

Today, we discuss the causes and symptoms of kidney stones, how they are diagnosed, and how you can prevent them. So, whether you are already dealing with kidney stones or want to avoid them in the future, this post will provide you with the information you need.

A urine sample in a transparent tube, with greenish white stones visible inside

 

Preventing And Detecting Kidney Stones

Over 500,000 people visit emergency rooms for kidney stone problems every year.

Kidney stones are hard, mineral-based objects that can form inside the kidneys. They’re common and can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra. In fact, over 500,000 people visit emergency rooms every year for kidney stone problems. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and detect kidney stones before they become a problem.

The most common cause of kidney stones is diet – eating too many foods that contain minerals and salts can lead to their formation. Excess body weight is also a major factor in their development. Certain medical conditions – such as high blood pressure – can also increase your chances of developing kidney stones. Other factors that may contribute to their formation include supplements and medications, as well as drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.

Symptoms of kidney stones may include sharp pains in different parts of your body (backside, lower abdomen or groin), feeling a constant need to urinate, pain while urinating, cloudy or bad-tasting urine, and blood in the urine (hematuria). If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment options.

Some diagnostic tests used to detect kidney stone presence include blood testing; x ray or ultrasound scans; analysis of past Stones passed through straining urine samples collected over 24 hours; and sometimes even a CT scan or MRI scan. The goal is to find out which type of stone you have so that the best treatment plan can be put in place. Treatment options may include surgery if necessary plus various types of medication such as diuretics or calcium supplements. It’s important to follow all treatment recommendations carefully so that you avoid any further problems with your kidneys!

All In All

Kidney stones are a painful but common problem that can affect anyone. Understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention of kidney stones can help you avoid or manage them if you already have them. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fluids, avoiding excess minerals and salts in your diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding supplements and medications that may increase your chances of developing kidney stones are all important steps to take. If you experience any symptoms associated with kidney stones, make sure to seek medical attention so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.

Sanofi to launch new drug for Hemophilia A, a rare bleeding disorder

Sanofi, a French pharmaceutical company, plans to launch a new drug for a rare bleeding disorder called hemophilia A this year. The therapy, which is being developed in collaboration with Swedish drugmaker Sobi, is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is expected to make a decision on the approval status by February 28th.

Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This disorder is inherited and can affect both males and females. Symptoms can range from minor to severe, depending on the amount of clotting factor present in the blood.

Another biotech company, BioMarin, has already developed a therapy called valoctocogene roxaparvovec, which is available in Europe as Roctavian for hemophilia A. However, the therapy is still awaiting approval from the FDA. 

BioMarin is hoping that new Phase III data, which is expected in early 2023, will improve its chances of getting approved. The ongoing study, GENEr8-3, by BioMarin uses a primary endpoint of change in factor VIII activity, testing valoctocogene roxaparvovec alongside corticosteroid use.

Pfizer is also developing a therapy for a less common form of the disorder called Hemophilia B. Hemophilia B is caused by deficiencies in factor IX. Pfizer plans to present additional data from the Phase III BENEGENE-2 study (NCT03861273) of its therapy, PF-06838435, in adult males with severe Hemophilia B at a scientific conference in early 2023. 

Pfizer has already announced that BENEGENE-2 has achieved its primary endpoint of non-inferiority and superiority in the annualized bleeding rate (ABR), which is considered a validated marker of hemophilia activity.

Sanofi has also followed Pfizer’s footsteps by establishing a rebate program for a blood disorder treatment called Cablivi. The program promises medical institutions a refund if inpatient treatment fails. 

To qualify, patients must receive the drug in a hospital setting, and Sanofi will only cover the cost of up to six doses for those who do not respond, or up to 12 doses for those who worsen while on treatment. Cablivi became the first drug approved in the United States in 2019 for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP).

 

Uganda Red Cross Society's RevolRevolutionizing Menstrual Hygiene

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is taking a step towards a brighter future for girls and women in Uganda with their innovative factory that aims to revolutionize menstrual hygiene.

This factory will not only improve the lives of 50,000 girls and women by providing access to menstrual hygiene products, but it will also empower them by providing employment and training opportunities.

The funding for this project has come from the Randal Charitable Foundation, UK, with Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Founder and Chair of Trustees of the Randal Charitable Foundation, saying, “This project is so beneficial to the community because, without access to high-quality sanitary pads and toilets, or washrooms for changing, many girls and women are not able to go far from their homes. The consequence of this is that they often cannot attend school, and in many cases become trapped in their homes unable to earn a living to support their families.”

The factory will manufacture 200,000 reusable pads per year, which is the equivalent of 50,000 four-pad packs. 20% of these pads will be given to 10,000 vulnerable girls in school for free, while the remaining 80% will be sold to 40,000 girls and women in the wider community at a subsidized price, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the manufacturing facility.

The project will not only provide employment and training opportunities, but it will also impart specific skills such as recordkeeping and marketing, as well as support supervision and monitoring. Each female trainee is targeted to produce 50 reusable pads per day, which equates to 1,000 per year.

Once the first group of 20 trainees has mastered the skills to produce the reusable pads, they will then recruit another group of 20 to expand their labour force.

It’s a sad reality that many girls in Uganda miss school days or other important activities due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. This not only affects their education but also their future prospects. The URCS factory aims to change this by providing girls with the necessary menstrual hygiene products to keep them in school.

The URCS factory project is part of a collaboration between the Uganda Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Education and Sports, as well as other partners, which in 2019 launched a countrywide initiative called, ‘Keep a Girl in School’. The main aim of this project is to improve menstrual health management among primary and secondary school-going adolescents in vulnerable communities.

 

Uganda’s Ebola-free: A Triumph of Preparedness and Early Response

Uganda has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after the latest outbreak of the virus claimed almost 60 lives in about five months. The outbreak of the deadly virus was declared over after 42 days without a new case being reported, which is double the incubation period for the virus according to WHO protocols. The highly contagious disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, and causes fatigue, fever and bleeding from the eyes and nose. It kills almost half of those who become infected.

This outbreak, which involved the Ebola Sudan strain of the virus, began in September and killed 56 people, including seven healthcare workers, and caused 142 confirmed infections. The virus spread through parts of the country, with officials hesitant to impose another ban on movement within the country in the wake of recent coronavirus lockdowns. Only in December were a curfew and restrictions on movement introduced in the affected districts. By then, the United States and other countries had issued orders to screen all travelers from Uganda arriving at their airports.

The acting director of Africa’s Centers for Disease Control, Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, has praised the Ugandan government for its “excellent” coordination of Ebola containment measures, saying it had taken approximately 70 days to bring the outbreak under control. African health authorities had prioritized preparedness for the deadly virus after devastating outbreaks of the Ebola Zaire strain in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people. Those outbreaks inspired global fear that air travel could allow the virus to spread across the world in a matter of hours. That fear helped galvanize research and funding for vaccines to protect against the Zaire strain of the virus.

Three candidate vaccines in development for the Ebola Zaire strain were sent to Uganda, with the first arriving on December 8, to be evaluated in a clinical trial being run by the Makerere University Lung Institute, as there is currently no vaccine proven to be effective against the Sudan strain of the virus. Critics have said an opportunity was missed as the candidate vaccines only arrived as the virus was waning. The delays meant a chance to trial the drugs amid an evolving outbreak was missed. However, the limited trial did prove the vaccines safe to use on humans. In December, doctors discharged the last known Ebola patient in Uganda from hospital, allowing President Yoweri Museveni to lift all Ebola-related restrictions and curfews for the holiday season.

“Today we join the Government of Uganda to declare the end of the Sudan Ebola Virus Outbreak in the Country,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. The WHO’s Moeti further added, “With no vaccines and therapeutics, this was one of the most challenging Ebola outbreaks in the past five years, but Uganda stayed the course and continuously fine-tuned its response. Two months ago, it looked as if Ebola would cast a dark shadow over the country well into 2023, as the outbreak reached major cities such as Kampala and Jinja, but this win starts off the year on a note of great hope for Africa.”

The end of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is certainly a cause for celebration and relief, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and early response in the face of deadly epidemics. The Ebola virus is a highly contagious and deadly disease, and it is essential that countries and international organizations take the necessary steps to prevent and contain outbreaks as quickly as possible. The WHO’s announcement of Uganda being Ebola-free is an encouraging sign for the continent of Africa and the rest of the world, showing that with proper coordination and response, it is possible to overcome even the most challenging of outbreaks.

 

Uganda; 100,000 new Asthamic cases reported annually for the past three years

UGANDA – According to research conducted by the Makerere University Lung Institute, two out of every ten young people between the ages of 12 and 15 exhibit symptoms of asthma, a respiratory health condition that usually shows symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing.

Since 2018, the institution has examined 895 secondary school students within Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts. Of those, 177 were found to have asthmatic symptoms.

Graph showing the number of students with asthmatic symptoms

Dr. Rebecca Nantanda, a consultant pediatrician and lung specialist who oversaw the study’s execution, said that the majority of people who tested positive for asthma were ignorant despite exhibiting symptoms in 33.9% of cases.

64 of the students exhibited significant symptoms, but none of their assessments were correct, and several of them were receiving care for other conditions.

The institute had previously analyzed children and adults to discover how prevalent the illness was, but data on youths had been lacking.

According to recent data, merely less than half of persons in this age range who were aware of their condition had it under control, with few episodes and a reduced need for treatment.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) was informed of these findings, and officials confirmed that medical professionals lacked sufficient training mostly in asthmatic diagnosis.

Asthma diagnosis is still done by health professionals using what they learned in medical school, according to Dr. Frank Mugabe, the Principal Medical Officer in charge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at the Ministry of Health. This is true despite evolving methods of diagnosis and treatment.

In agreement with the survey’s findings, he claims that more people are developing asthma, as evidenced by the fact that over 100,000 new cases have been reported annually for the past three years, according to their statistics.

He states that they registered 133,000 instances in 2020 and 124,000 in 2021 as a result of COVID-19-related limitations. He asserts that as of the end of October this year, there had been 106,000 instances reported, and he anticipates that they may top the numbers from the year 2020.

All age groups had the greatest prevalence of asthma in Kampala, West Nile, and South Western Uganda. Mugabe explains this by pointing to significant levels of air pollution.

Five more nations, including Malawi, South Africa, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, participated in the same research, Achieving Control of Asthma in Children in Africa (ACACIA).

Exchange of vital health data across platforms and regions to manage the worldwide spread of infectious illnesses

According to an exclusive analysis from the BroadReach Group, the benefit of exchanging crucial health data across platforms and geographies to manage the worldwide spread of infectious illnesses as travel grows following the COVID-19 pandemic is emphasized.

The Broadband Group identifies three essential international standards that establish worldwide best practices for the protection of general personal information and personal health information.

“The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the USA and the private sector-led HITRUST Alliance,” revealed the advisory firm.

The BroadReach Group hosted a webinar to address competing goals in light of October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, focusing on how smart policies, considerate frameworks, and underpinning technology may support both data privacy and data sharing.

“The webinar covered the importance of health data ownership, data protection vs data sharing, and data residency, including personal ownership of health data, and public and private organizations’ challenges and responsibilities in keeping it safe and secure,” the Group announced in a release.

Dr. Farley R. Cleghorn, global head of health practice at Palladium Group, and Dr. Justin Maeda, principal regional collaborating centers (RCC) coordinator at the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC), participated in the discussion as Ruan Viljoen, chief technology officer at BroadReach Group, served as its moderator.

“Health data is the most sensitive personal data we can store and warrants an even stricter duty of care. We should not put individuals in a position where they should have to trade their privacy in order to receive good healthcare,” said Viljoen.

The leaders also acknowledged that governments are the guardians of their citizens’ human rights and as a result, have the primary duty for protecting their citizens’ data, even if they recognized that the problem is complicated and that a multi-sectoral solution is required.

“Individuals need to take control of their health data. You should assume you have a right to that information, that you can control your information, and that you can use it for your own benefit,” highlighted Dr. Cleghorn.

They stressed that, at a time when cyber-security has grown increasingly crucial in healthcare as assaults escalate, governments might safeguard their citizens by disaggregating patients’ health data to make it impersonal and unrecognizable to third parties.

“Attackers are quite patient and look around – recent studies show that it takes organisations an average of 271 days before they detect that they have been breached, and another 70-odd days to rectify the situation,” highlighted the Chief Technology Officer.

He outlined how cyberattacks impair service delivery, which is harmful in the healthcare industry, and cause reputational and financial damage. He also said that it can take some time for a business to go back to normal.

1400 healthcare workers to get Ebola preparation and response training from WHO and Kenya

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya’s Ministry of Health will train roughly 1,400 healthcare professionals on how to be ready for an Ebola epidemic.

In a news statement, the ministry stated that as Uganda works to control the present epidemic, the Ebola response actions are a part of continuous efforts to protect against a potential importation of the deadly Ebola virus illness into the nation.

“The training, that kicked off this week, has seen 75 health workers drawn from the national level and Nairobi County receive essential information and techniques required to deal with the disease,” said the Ministry of Health.

The agency said that the training was connected in series to the county and sub-county levels in the 20 counties most vulnerable to the importation of EVD and that the health professionals had received training on readiness and reaction.

The training session comes in response to a notice issued by the Kenyan ministry to all counties nationwide and worries expressed by Ugandan health officials over an increase in confirmed Ebola cases to 109 with 30 fatalities.

“Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. The virus is normally found in animals but spread from animals to human beings and occurs when there is interaction between the infected animals and healthy humans,” the statement said.

Furthermore, a recent notice sent by the Ugandan government to Kenya is in accordance with East African Community Health standards on an epidemic of the illness discovered in Ngabano hamlet of Madudu Sub County in Central Uganda.

The Ministry of Health further warned that human-to-human transmission of Ebola happens through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids including as blood, sweat, urine, sperm, vaginal secretions, diarrhea, and vomitus from an infected individual.

As a result, the Kenyan government has advised all county governments to be watchful and increase monitoring, particularly around borders.

“Screen at risk populations including travellers, truck drivers, bush meat handlers and healthcare workers as well as sensitize the community to identify suspected cases,” the ministry urged county administrations.

Additionally, county governments have been advised to mobilize fast-reaction teams to assist with case identification and prompt reporting.

They were also asked to engage key stakeholders to start preventative, readiness, and response efforts, as well as to educate healthcare personnel on infection, prevention and control measures, case management, and sample management.

About Us

AFHEG Foundation is a non-profit health organization in Uganda, that focuses on empowering young people and communities with accurate health and environmental information through creative storytelling, e-learning, and interactive gaming, enabling them to improve their quality of life while making informed decisions.

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