Health Talk

Sep 05, 2006

<b>Ministry warns</b><br>NATIONAL - The Government’s decision to change malaria treatment policy from the chloroquine and fansidar combination to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) as the first line treatment against non-complicated malaria was driven by scientific evidence and not poli

Ministry warns
NATIONAL - The Government’s decision to change malaria treatment policy from the chloroquine and fansidar combination to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) as the first line treatment against non-complicated malaria was driven by scientific evidence and not politics, ministry of health officials have said. Dr Ambrose Talisuna, a malaria epidemiologist at the health ministry was reacting to allegations that the policy was weak and politically motivated.

Orphans appeal
RAKAI - About 300 HIV/AIDS orphans have appealed to the Government to rescue them from hunger. In a three-page memorandum presented during the launch of a new project dubbed, ‘Chain of Love,’ by Send A Cow Uganda at Kabira sub-county headquarters, the children complained of stigma and lack of food. They appealed for proper sanitation and water, meals, friends, children’s rights and protection of family land and other resources. The area MP, Mathias Kasamba said there are about 1,200 child-headed families in Rakai.

Provide ARVs
NATIONAL - Employers have been urged to provide HIV/AIDS treatment to their employees to boost their productivity. The head of The Business Part Project, Peter Cowley said HIV/AIDS was still a big threat to the business community. He was addressing members of the Executive council and staff of Federation of Employers Union (FUE) at Hotel Equatoria recently. Cowley said that ARVs are now affordable and twithin the costs employers incur to treat other diseases. About 1-2% of employees in Ugandan companies have AIDS to the point where it affects their attendance and productivity.

Involve men
NATIONAL - “Men should be equally involved in the family planning process to help address health and poverty issues at household and national levels,” Dr. Anthony Mbonye has said.
Mbonye, the assistant commissioner for Ministry of Health, said lack of attention to men has conveyed a message that family planning is not their concern. Now that men have information about the benefits of family planning, they should make more informed and responsible decisions with their partners about family size and child spacing among others.

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