By U.S. Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier

The dramatic growth in the delivery of health care services throughout Uganda in recent years is a remarkable accomplishment, one in which the United States, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), plays a key role.

In the past year PEPFAR funded the HIV testing of over a million pregnant Ugandan women as a first step in preventing transmission of the virus to their newborns. 

Experts from the Uganda Cancer Institute at Mulago have warned of an increase in cases of skin cancer - otherwise known as Kaposis Sarcoma (KS) among children.

Dr. Abraham Omoding, an expert at The Uganda Cancer Institute at Mulago Hospital observed that on average, the centre receives about 10 new cases of children suffering from skin cancer every week.

Majority of the cases they receive are of children below the age of 12 years and manifests mostly in the places around the jaws and cheeks.

Experts attribute the increase in this type of cancer among children born with HIV/Aids to the fact that kids less than 12 years have less resistance to human herpesvirus (HHV) 8, the virus that causes the cancer.

Sharon Nakigudde, a former resident of Buloba in Wakiso district lost her battle with cervical cancer recently. According to relatives, the late Nakigudde started experiencing excruciating pain in her lower abdomen which was followed by bleeding and a swollen stomach.

A report on health services in Africa published by the International Finance Corporation reveals that the demand for health care is expected to double in the next five years, bringing numerous opportunities but also challenges on the continent that is already enveloped by a fair share of ills.

Years of neglect towards the health sector seen in most African countries have resulted into decay especially in the government-run hospitals.

Poor pay coupled with absence of equipment in rural areas and difficulties faced by private health