Author: alphyjuma

By Lydia Atieno Despite knowing the risks of under-dosing, Jean Marie Mutuyeyezu, a resident of Kigali, says sometimes he has no option but to do so. He recalls many times purchasing half-dose medicine instead of a full dose prescribed by a doctor due to low finances. Yves Kayitare, a pharmacist in Kigali, says the easy availability of antibiotics in many pharmacies around has also seen people misuse the antibiotics. Meanwhile, estimates by health officials in Rwanda show that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on the rise as one of the major global public health threats. Based on scientific experiments, researchers concluded…

By Mary Hearty George Muga, Director of Muga Fish Farm, located in Karachuonyo, Homabay County, uses salt bath as a way of treating fish infections that occur in his farm as it is affordably cheaper unlike use of antimicrobials. Whenever he detects fish with problems like bleeding scales in the ponds, he dips them in a container with a gallon of salty water for about two minutes before transferring them to an aquarium with fresh water in a segregated place. During this process, the population of the disease-causing microorganisms that may have gotten into the infected part decline because of…

By Hasifah Namuli and Namiganda Jael Looking rather frail is a lean, tall young man who has been sailing for over 45 minutes in the deep waters of Lake Victoria under the scotching sun just to reach the Buvuma Health Center IV. He sails aboard his small engine boat which also serves as his only source of livelihood. Isaac Mukungu, a 30-year-old fisher man, visits the main island of the Buvuma Islands from a detached island of Kyanamu every two weeks to seek professional medical assistance at the Buvuma Health Centre IV, the biggest health facility on the islands for…

By André Gakwaya -Ruhango: Iradukunda Yvette, is a 23-year-old young woman. She lives in Kavumu village, Rwoga cell, in Ruhango sector, Ruhango District. She is in consultation at the Kigoma Health Center to benefit from family planning services. She is married and the mother of a three-year-old girl. “I came to this Health Center in order to limit births. I got married too young when I was 17. I was late in having a child. I had a hard life while my husband was on duty and not living with me. In the sequel, I was lucky to have a…

By Francine Andrew According to the World Health Organization, there were 7841 cases of tuberculosis in Rwanda in 2008. This has gradually reduced to about 5800 cases in 2020, thanks to the contributions of the Community Health Workers (CHWs). Since its inception in 2005 following the adoption of the health decentralization policy by the Ministry of Health, the CHWs program in Rwanda has helped to increase diagnosis and adherence in effective TB treatment. The aim of CHWs program is to increase uptake of essential maternal and child clinical services through education of pregnant women, promotion of healthy behaviors, and follow-up…

By Joyce Chimbi *Primrose Owino says the symptoms were at first gradual and easily dismissed but within two months, she could not walk, was losing her mind and her family was convinced that Owino was at deaths door. “That was three years ago in mid-2019. I had been living with HIV for less than a year and on treatment. My skin started turning very dark. Then I lost a lot of weight and my hearing was not very good. On the phone, people told me I was shouting even though it seemed to me that I was speaking normally,” she…

By Kahindi Vilivu Thick and tall, standing above six feet, Francis Thoya Chengo is built like a boxer. He towers almost above everybody else in Gede area of Kilifi County, with his imposing figure giving him a commanding presence in any crowd. His measured steps as he ambles his way around Gede Health Centre and a deep, penetrating look depicts a man on a mission. And when he speaks, people pay attention. Chengo is not here to enter a boxing ring. He is here to tackle a different kind of challenge, urging the residents in this area to adopt the…

By John Mugisha; Twelve years ago, when David Ndizeye from Rwimbogo village in Gatsibo district, Eastern Rwanda was given a cow under ‘One cow per poor family’ initiative also known as “Girinka programme”, it had been harder for him to earn a living cultivating for others sometimes earning 1,000 Rwandan francs (about $1 USD ) per day. Before he was given the cow through the initiative, Ndizeye used d to go to bed many nights hungry because there was nothing left after feeding his children. “Feeding my family with such irregular income was very difficult and sometimes we would go…

By Treezer Michelle “A healthy pregnancy begins before conception and continues with prenatal care, along with early recognition and management of complications if they arise. Early initiation of prenatal care by pregnant women, and continuous monitoring of pregnancy by health providers, are key to helping prevent and treat severe pregnancy-related complications,” says Christine Naliaka, the Bungoma County Reproductive Health Coordinator and the Deputy Chief Nurse in Bungoma County. The World Health Organization (WHO)estimates that more than 300,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes every year. That translates to 830 women every day with 94% of these deaths occurring in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.…