Dar es Salam - Over the recent years, climate change and natural disasters have increased in frequency and severity. They arrest development and disrupt livelihoods.

The management of these risks is vital to protect people’s health from emergencies and disasters, to ensure local, national, and global health security, to attain Universal Health Coverage and to build the resilience of communities, countries, and health systems.

^{_{By Tatenda Chimbwanda}}

Health research is an essential tool for improving health and health equity. It provides evidence-based policy and decision-making and has the potential to deliver widespread population health changes that respond to critical needs and contribute to sustainable development outcomes in the world's poorest countries.

In many parts of the Busoga region in Eastern Uganda which has an estimated population of 8.3million people, it was common for boda bodas (motorcycles) to be used in transporting patients with medical emergencies requiring specialized care. This included pregnant women with pregnancy – related complications requiring emergency specialized care being transported either from their homes to the entry level health centers or from lower-level health facilities to higher ones.

19 June 2023 marked the launch of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) 3^rd edition Technical Guidelines with the aim of strengthening Namibia’s capacity to detect, report, confirm, and effectively respond to high-priority communicable and non-communicable diseases in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. 

Arusha- The World Health Organization declared an end to COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in May 2023 after the pandemic has been on a downward trend with increasing number of vaccinated populations in the world leading to fewer infections and deaths. But the need to reach everyone everywhere with COVID-19 vaccines persists.

Kampala-World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized seven members of staff in Uganda for dedicated service over the last 15 years. Those recognized include Dr. Annet Kisakye (EPI Officer), Dr. Andrew Bakainaga (Cluster lead/ District Health Management and System Strengthening), Mrs. Christine Karamagi (Programme Assistant), Ms. Ann Araba (Procurement Assistant), Ms. Sophia Kyamanywa (Administrative Assistant, Gregory Habaasa Kabuza (Driver) and David Semabale (Driver).

Dr Kalumbi Shangula, The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), declared the end of the CCHF outbreak on 19 June 2023. The CCHF outbreak was reported in Gobabis District, Omaheke Region.  MoHSS notified WHO about the confirmed CCHF outbreak in Gobabis district on 21 May 2023. The confirmed case died on 18 May 2023. The outbreak was declared on 22 May 2023. Only one confirmed case was reported during the CCHF outbreak.

The World Health Statistics 2023 Report ranks Uganda among the leading countries with high alcohol consumption rates. The report comes out at a time when the country is taking giant steps to control alcohol consumption spearheaded by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO based on the SAFER Initiative.