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Morphine was first introduced in Uganda 30 years ago, but as the burden of cancer increases, thousands of people still lack access to even basic treatment or pain relief. About 70% of the 2,000 patients on Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU)’s programme have cancer, and some are HIV positive, too. Few can afford tests or treatment for their conditions and, even when they can, it is not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose or fail to prescribe adequate pain relief. Often, by the time a patient is referred to HAU, their condition is incurable, much to the frustration of the team, whose goal is to offer palliative care from the moment a person is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition. “One of our biggest challenges is to remove the stigma [around palliative care]. Some people think it is about dying, but it is for anyone with a chronic illness that is not going away,” says Antonia Kamate Tukundane, programmes manager at HAU’s Mbarara site in south-west Uganda. “Palliative care focuses on holistic care: How are you? How is your family? What other things are affecting your illness? We provide something the doctors and nurses have no time for. Dr Anne Merriman at home in Kampala. She founded Hospice Africa Uganda in 1993, with a vision to introduce “palliative care for all in need in Africa” “Sometimes the patient comes to us very ill and passes on, but if we had known the patient earlier we could have explained what was happening to their body; agreed on realistic goals; all this is so helpful for the patient. Those who find us are glad they did.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 6 March 2023

No new Ebola infections have been detected in Uganda for 42 days, and so on Wednesday, the World Health Organization and the Ugandan Ministry of Health officially declared that the country’s most recent outbreak of the deadly virus is at an end. Since the outbreak was officially recognised on September 20, 164 people have had confirmed or probable Ebola infections; there 55 deaths confirmed by lab testing, with another 22 deaths suspected of being caused by the virus. Those who have recovered from the virus will receive ongoing support and will be closely monitored to help scientists understand the long term impacts of the Sudan strain of the virus, for which there are currently no treatment or prevention options. The Ugandan government has also set a goal of finally identifying the animal reservoir for Ebola. Read full story Source: CNN, 11 January 2023

Trainee medics battling Ebola in Uganda's virus epicentre accuse the government of putting their lives at risk. "Most times you come into contact with a patient and you use your bare hands," one worker told the BBC anonymously. All trainees at Mubende's regional hospital say they are on strike and are demanding to be moved somewhere safer. But Ugandan health ministry spokesman Emmanuel Ainebyoona told the BBC there was "no strike at the hospital". Yet all 34 of the hospital's interns - including doctors, pharmacists and nurses - have announced their decision to strike in a joint statement. They say they are being put at undue risk because they lack appropriate safety kit, risk allowances and health insurance. Six interns at the hospital have already been exposed to the virus, and are awaiting their test results in isolation. Read full story Source: BBC News, 26 September 2022