Category: Health

The Mpox outbreak, which began on July 24, 2024, has affected 52 districts, with over 784 confirmed cases and significant disruptions to public health infrastructure.

WHO and Uganda’s Ministry of Health have made significant strides in containment and response efforts, including deploying 5,000 health workers, setting up 25 isolation units, and mobilizing surveillance and risk communication strategies nationwide.

Despite the advances, the funding shortfall threatens to derail critical interventions such as infection prevention, case management, and community awareness initiatives.

With $11 million still needed from the total $12.9 million response budget, WHO has called on global partners to step up their contributions.

Current support has primarily come from nations like the United States, Germany, Canada, and others, alongside the WHO Foundation.

“More funds are needed to bridge the 85% funding gap given the high utilization rate of available funds and needs on the ground,” WHO Representative Dr. Charles Njuguna emphasized.

“WHO calls all partners to urgently support the Government of Uganda through increasing their financial contributions towards the Mpox response,” he added.

The WHO stressed that immediate action is essential to prevent the outbreak from further escalating and ensure a sustained, robust response.

Additional funding will expand health worker training, establish permanent isolation spaces, and enhance mental health services.

The Mpox outbreak in Uganda originated in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where an outbreak has been ongoing since January 2023. To date, the DRC has reported over 22,000 suspected Mpox cases and more than 1,200 suspected deaths.

According to the latest Statistical Year Book 2024 published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), maternal mortality, which stood at 1,071 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000, has now fallen to 203 per 100,000.

The sharp decline reflects the effectiveness of the government’s targeted healthcare policies and the country’s robust approach to maternal health.

Several key factors have driven this reduction. One major contributor is the increase in antenatal care coverage, with nearly 98% of mothers in Rwanda receiving at least one antenatal visit by 2023. The improvement in early detection and intervention has played a crucial role in reducing maternal deaths.

Skilled birth attendance has also been central to this progress, with 94% of births now attended by skilled health professionals, ensuring safer deliveries.

Additionally, improved access to emergency obstetric care has helped reduce maternal mortality. The rise in Caesarean sections and enhanced surgical capacity have ensured better outcomes for mothers facing complications during childbirth.

The gains in maternal health are part of a broader trend of improving child health. Both infant and under-five mortality rates have seen substantial reductions. Infant mortality has dropped from 107 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 33 in 2023, while under-five mortality has decreased from 196 to 45 per 1,000.

Key interventions have contributed to these reductions. High vaccination rates have played a pivotal role, with over 96% of children immunized by 2023, helping to combat preventable diseases.

Furthermore, community health worker programs continue to be vital in screening for malnutrition and providing timely interventions for children under five.

The report also highlights progress in addressing stunting and malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting decreased from 51% in 2005 to 33% in 2023. Severe malnutrition cases have also seen a dramatic decline, with 97% of children now classified as having normal nutritional status in recent screenings.

Key contributors to this success include growth monitoring programs, with over 1.5 million screenings conducted in 2023, as well as improved nutritional outcomes due to enhanced hospitalization and outpatient treatments for malnutrition.

Rwanda’s healthcare success is also attributed to comprehensive health policies. Health insurance coverage reached an impressive 97.3% in 2023, ensuring that families from all backgrounds can access care.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) program has been instrumental in providing decentralized healthcare, enabling millions of children to receive vital screenings and interventions. Moreover, investments in infrastructure have expanded access to both essential and emergency care, particularly in district hospitals and health centers.

Additionally, focused efforts on maternal and child nutrition, including supplementation programs and education, have significantly contributed to improving overall health outcomes.

Health benefits

The antioxidants in honey work for the benefit of a healthy heart. From heart disease prevention and keeping blood pressure in control to fighting bad fat, honey is good for your heart.

Honey also works to keep your brain healthy by fighting memory issues, anxiety and any depression troubles. It has multi-nutrients like copper, and riboflavin that keep you fit.

The natural sugar content in honey is good for your health if it is in the right quantity. If suffering from cough and cold, honey is used to combat it and at times, with other natural ingredients.

Honey can be used on your skin for general skincare, and help in healing wounds and cuts. You can call honey a superfood to solve all your troubles.

4 ways to use honey

Incorporate honey in your breakfast in simple ways like replacing sugar in milk, coffee, smoothies and tea, in oats as a sweetener, over your toast or pancakes, in warm water as an early morning energizer and so on. Your morning sugar rush is healthily managed.

A small amount of honey applied to your skin for a short while acts as a great moisturizer for dried skin. Mix it with natural ingredients that suit your skin and use it as a face pack for skincare. Apply a small amount of honey to heal your scars and wounds.

You can incorporate honey in healthy lunches and dinners like using it in salad dressings or glazing roasted dishes. You can even make healthy snacks like nutrition or granola bars by including honey in the ingredients instead of sugar.

If suffering from a cold and cough, a spoonful of honey is therapeutic. You can also add it to herbal tea, lemon water or warm water for better benefits. Mix honey with crushed ginger or clove and have a small dose from time to time to cure cough and cold.

As of December 15, 2024, Africa has recorded 13,769 confirmed Mpox cases across 20 countries, resulting in 60 deaths, according to WHO’s latest report.

The DRC remains the epicenter, accounting for 9,513 confirmed cases. While the epidemic trend in the DRC has stabilized in recent weeks, WHO warns against overconfidence, citing potential delays in reporting.

The outbreak has been complicated by the emergence of clade 1b, a more virulent and poorly understood variant first identified in the DRC in September 2023.

This strain has since been detected in other countries, including Sweden and Thailand, marking its geographical expansion beyond Africa.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals. Clade 1b’s estimated mortality rate of 3.6% is significantly higher than that of earlier strains, raising global alarm.

The WHO emphasized the need for continued vigilance, noting the limited understanding of clade 1b’s transmissibility and long-term impact. Efforts to monitor and control the outbreak are ongoing as cases continue to be reported both within and outside Africa.

The disease, which surfaced in late October 2024, primarily affects malnourished children under five years old and presents symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body ache.

The outbreak has severely impacted nine health areas within the remote Panzi health zone of Kwango Province, with Tsakala Panzi, Makitapanzi, and Kanzangi reporting the majority of cases. The outbreak coincides with the DRC’s ongoing battle against an mpox outbreak.

In a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2024, WHO said the remote and rural nature of Panzi health zone, compounded by the rainy season, has created significant logistical barriers.

“The area is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season,” WHO noted.

The health zone has no functional laboratory, requiring samples to be sent to Kinshasa for testing, further delaying diagnosis.

Efforts to pinpoint the cause of the illness are underway, with potential factors including malaria, measles, influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Laboratory testing is being expedited to confirm or rule out these possibilities.

The outbreak has been worsened by malnutrition and food insecurity in the region.

To combat the crisis, rapid response teams (RRTs) from provincial and national levels have been deployed, equipped with medications and diagnostic tools. These teams are conducting active case searches, investigating community deaths, and engaging with local populations to strengthen awareness and preventive measures.

The WHO highlighted that “infection prevention and control measures are being reinforced,” with health workers receiving training and supplies to reduce transmission risks.

Surveillance efforts have also intensified, with data collection and community-based monitoring helping to track the outbreak’s dynamics.

While local risks remain high, WHO has assessed the regional and global risk as low. However, the proximity to Angola has raised concerns about potential cross-border transmission, prompting calls for enhanced coordination between the two countries.

The decision, made at a meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, is based on the rising number and continuing geographic spread of cases, operational challenges in the field, and the need to mount and sustain a cohesive response across countries and partners, the WHO said in a statement.

In August, the WHO declared a health emergency due to the outbreak of mpox in Africa. A total of 12,596 cases had been confirmed as of Nov. 17, according to a WHO report.

This update was provided on November 8, 2024, in a weekly report covering the status of the Marburg virus from November 1 to November 8, 2024. The Ministry of Health reported that out of 1,390 tests conducted, no new cases were detected. However, it affirmed that efforts to prevent and combat the virus continue.

In a recent media briefing, the ministry stated that it is focusing on monitoring individuals who have been in contact with infected patients and providing treatment to ensure the virus does not result in further fatalities. This approach has raised optimism about potentially eradicating the virus in Rwanda.

Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted that efforts include tracking down everyone who had contact with the first confirmed patient, providing swift treatment, and administering vaccines. Rigorous screening protocols are in place at borders, Kigali International Airport, and other checkpoints to prevent the virus’s spread beyond initially affected areas.

“We have vaccinated individuals who had close contact with infected persons to break the chain of transmission. Protecting healthcare workers, especially those treating patients, is critical,” said Dr. Nsanzimana. “We’re ensuring that healthcare providers are well-protected, and vaccination remains the best method to safeguard them and allow them to work without anxiety.”

Dr. Nsanzimana reiterated the goal to prevent any new infections. Nevertheless, the ministry has advised recovered patients to exercise caution and avoid unprotected sexual activity and breastfeeding, as the virus can remain in certain body parts for more than a year, potentially leading to transmission.

On November 4, 2024, Dr. Nsanzimana explained that patients who have recovered are undergoing long-term monitoring, as the virus can persist in some bodily fluids. “Recovery means there’s no virus left in their blood, confirmed by two tests taken 72 hours apart. We advise recovered individuals to avoid unprotected sexual activity until final tests show the virus is entirely cleared.”

“We’re closely monitoring recovered patients to prevent any resurgence, while taking care to avoid stigma. It’s essential not to shun recovered individuals out of fear they might still be contagious,” he added. Those under monitoring may be followed for up to three months, with some cases lasting up to a year, depending on individual medical factors.

“The virus can linger longer in some areas, especially in semen, but tends to disappear more quickly in saliva, urine, and breast milk. We’re conducting regular tests on recovered patients to ensure the virus is fully cleared from these fluids,” he explained.

The monitoring will continue until each individual receives final tests confirming the absence of the virus.

Rwanda announced its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak on September 27, 2024.

As of November 4, 66 people had been infected with the Marburg virus, with 15 deaths, 49 recoveries, and two individuals still under medical care.

Marburg symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact health authorities for prompt assistance.