AAR eases reviewing of medical reports

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

AAR a Ugandan based Medical Insurance Company in partnership  with Indian based HBG Medical  Assistance  have started a medical portal that will enable patients in Uganda to seek for  a Second Medical Opinion  from Indian based medical specialists. 

“As a Medical Insurance Company we are committed in offering quality products at cheaper price for Ugandans.

“Both our clients and the general public should embrace the technology because it’s free of charge. Apart from helping Ugandan patients, the portal will also offer a wider range of advantages to our local medical personals since through the portal Doctors will be able to consult with their Indian colleagues,” said the Head of Finance Controller at AAR Mohammed Ssebaale.

Abhik Moitra (R) demonstrating how the portal works. Left is AAR’s Mohammed Ssebale..

The intention of launching the portal on the Ugandan market aims at reducing the cost of accessing specialized medical treatment abroad where most Ugandans suffering from complicated diseases such Cardiovascular, born marrow transplant among other diseases have been referred for medical attention.

Ssebale said under the new technology patients in Uganda can send their medical reports to experts in India for further diagnosis before travelling to India as it has been before.

 He noted that some medical complications can be handled by local medical doctors after receiving the second opinion from specialist in India which can save the patients money and the cost of medication. 

A second opinion is when a doctor other than your regular doctor gives you his or her view about your health problem and how to treat it after analyzing the first medical report from your Doctor. It can help you make a more informed decision about your care.

The medical Second Opinion portal has been used by HBG in over 10 countries where they collaborate with medical Insurance companies in the last 6 years. 

According to Abhik Moitra, the President of HBG they have assisted over 6,000 in getting their second medical opinion and those found to be in need of highly medical specialized attention have been worked on in India. 

“Ugandans should exploit the benefits associated with this portal because after using it we can connect the patient to world class medical specialists who will be reviewing the medical reports submitted on the second opinion portal.  

“As HBG we are committed to providing this kind of support to Ugandans to access specialized medical services,” said Abhik Moitra.

Medical access in India eased for Ugandans

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Magnus MediTourism, Premium Medical Travel Facilitator based inMumbai, India has signed a franchisee agreement EquatorOne, a Ugandan tours & travel agency as its exclusive representative in Uganda

The partnership will allow Ugandan healthcare providers and patient’s alike, convenient access to alternative medical treatment at multiple hospitals across several Indian cities including tier 2 and tier 3 cities that are more affordable.

Magnus is one of the only 2 medical travel providers, accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospital and Healthcare (NABH) - the Quality Council of India.

(L-R) Mihir Vora, CEO Magnus MediTourism, a premium medical travel facilitator based in Mumbai- India  and Judith Sheenah Kyamutetera, General Manager EquatorOne, a Ugandan tours & travel agency, exchange copies of an MOU at the launch of Magnus Uganda. Magnus Uganda will operate under the Magnus MediTourism to provide Ugandan healthcare providers and patients alike, convenient access to alternative medical treatment at over 35,614 hospitals in India.

Magnus also has apartnership with some of India’s best Medicare providers such as: Apollo Hospitals, Fortis,Manipal Hospitals, Medanta Hospitals and Kokilaben Dirhubai Ambani etc. who boast of some of the world’s leading specialists in cancer care, urology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology,dentistry, ENT, orthopedic, among other medical specialized services.

 The agency will provide services that include; booking medical appointments at preferred hospitals, travel tickets, accommodation, transportation services, booking dining services, assistance with foreign exchange among other services while in India.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Magnus MediTourism Founder and CEO, Mr Mihir Vora said;

“India is a credible global medical centre due to its advanced technology and highly specialized doctors. As a result we have seen a growth in the number of Ugandans seeking medical attention in India and we know the challenges one goes through when accessing services in a foreign country. This partnership is to enable Ugandans in need to easily access these services in a hustle free and secure environment so that they only concentrate on their recuperation.”she explained to the media in Kampala.

Mrs Judith Sheenah Kyamutetera, the Country Head of Magnus MediTourism Uganda and herself a cancer survivor said;

“I have been a beneficiary of Magnus services myself, having been diagnosed with breast Cancer in May 2016. Working with professional medical travel facilitators like Magnus eased on the pain and made the entire experience pleasant, which is why I decided to bring this service here so that other Ugandans may benefit from it,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization and Ministry of Health, diseases such as diabetes,cancers, cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and strokes) are the second largest cause of mortality in Uganda, accounting for 34.6% of total deaths in 2015, and according to WHO’s Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Country Profiles 2014, the probability of dying during the most productive years (ages 30-70) for Uganda from the 4 main NCDs is 21%.

In Africa and across developing countries, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and diabetes pose an increasing threat. Current projections indicate that by 2020, the largest increases in deaths from NCDs will occur in Africa.

Due to the high costs incurred by patients in these developing countries, more people are opting to seek medical attention from more developed countries thus growing the medical tourism industry. This is mainly due to globalization and technology advancements across the globe.

Chinese Ambassador warns on illegal wildlife trade.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

KAMPALA-UGANDA ----The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhuqiang has called up on all Chinese Enterprises staffs operating in Uganda not to involve in any form of Illegal wildlife trade. But support the country in protecting its natural Biodiversity resources because its protection creates business opportunities to china as country.

“ I want to take this opportunity to call up on all Chinese   Enterprises staff operating  in Uganda to spontaneously boy cot relevant illegal   conducts in any form and  to make positive  contributions  to wild life  protection  as its in China where we value  a lot  Biodiversity “ The Ambassador cautioned his  Nationals during the meeting  on opportunities  and challenges  for the Chinese Enterprises to engage  in Biodiversity and Wildlife  Conservation in Uganda.

The Meeting which was jointly organized by the Chinese Enterprises chambers of Commerce in Uganda in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS) in Kampala aimed at sharing the best Environmental protection mechanism which Chinese Enterprises can utilizes when executing their Enterprises without damaging the country, s Biodiversity.

Uganda is among the leading destination for Chinese’s Enterprises ranging from construction mineral exploration but on many occasion during their execution of their projects there’s has been an outcry by Environmentalists that Chinese Investor  are getting involved in illegal wildlife trade  especially in the Albertaine region where Oil and Gas exploration activities are taking place.

Zheng Zhuqiang observed  that most African Country’s, are home to rich Wildlife resources which provides source of revenue  in form of  attracting  both local, Regional and International  tourists  but  such resources  are disappearing  due to rampant poaching in the national parks  and other forms of biodiversity destruction thus the need for strong cooperation to eradicate poaching

L-R seated ( Dr Simon Nampindo the country  Director WCS , Christine  Akello Deputy Director NEMA , Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu state Minister for Environment and the Chinese Ambassador  to Uganda  Zheng  Zhuqiang  inneck tier  poses in picture with other members from the China  Enterprises  chambers  of Commerce  in Uganda. This was during meeting to discuss on enterprises  opportunities  available for the Chinese in the sector of  Biodiversity  conservation in Uganda 

. “We need to deepen International cooperation in wildlife protection. All countries must act together to fully implement the International convention against the trading in Endangered species of wild life such as Elephants, Fauna and flora. On addition to that there’s also need  for stepping up Law enforcement to combat Illegal trade in Wildlife  starting from the production stage  to trafficking then to selling chains  all should  be  covered by  Laws  and  the culprit  be subjected to Courts of Laws” The Ambassador advised.

Making key note  speech during the meeting , Uganda’s state  Minister  of state for Environment Dr Goretti  Kimono Kitutu said the Government is in the process of Coming up with new Environment Act which  will handle both the current  and the new Emerging  development activities which are now considered as dangerous to the country’s Biodiversity.

“We need new Law which caters for activities like sand mining  which is now reclusive business both to local and international investors sand extraction/ mining has greatly affected  the breading  zones for most biodiversity species such as fish , frogs and other reptiles thus affecting  many sectors in the economy such as Tourism , and fishing sector” she said

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 Dr.  Simon Nampindo   the country Director WCS in Uganda said more effort is required from Government to ensure that its Biodiversity is well protected for future generation. Nampindo said  that the country’s biodiversity is facing extinct due to  land use conversion  to agriculture , settlement  and  infrastructure  development , poaching  for bush meat  and Ivory.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the country is loses great population of endangered species like Elephants to poachers for ivory this has impacted on the country’s tourism sector. Most of the counts, illegal ivory has been finding its market in most Asian Countries such as China, Malaysia among  other destinations 

.

But on the good note recently the Government of chines announced total ban on the illegal trade of Ivory in their Country because the country treasures Biodiversity. The Chinese Ambassador t Uganda   Zheng Zhuqiang told East African Business Week that   china has built up a national wide wildlife protection regime based on combination of practical Laws policies and measures all those have helped in the conservation of the country’s Biodiversity resources..      

         

Let us embrace Biotechnology to save our Environment.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO & JONAN TWINAMATSIKO 

                                                                               

 The surroundings around us are termed as ‘environment’. It is where we all meet, where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share. The environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity.

 Human activity and anthropogenic impact affects the biophysical environments, biodiversity, and other resources. In the current situation, we [human beings] are using up 50% more natural resources than the earth can provide and this has resulted into the renowned  effects  of human activity on the environment which include decreased water quality, increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

 Depletion of natural resources has  contributed to global climate change Some of these are the direct result of human activities, whereas others are secondary effects that are part of a series of actions and reactions to over come such  environmental challenges it requires the use of technologies which are efficient and friendly to the Environment and for his case Biotechnology is the way to go.

Biotechnology has tremendous potential for unique, efficient, Eco-friendly and economically viable options for controlling environmental pollution and ensuring conservation of environment and biodiversity thereby addressing the effects of human activity on the environment.

 The term “Biotechnology” was first coined by Karl Rekey in 1991 and it literally means “the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.” (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992).

Environmental biotechnology which is also known as “grey biotechnology” refers to the use of microorganisms to improve the environmental quality. So far it has focused on the development of technologies to clean up the aquatic, terrestrial and aerial environment. Biotechnology therefore remains the most ideal environmental protection technology due to its multi-functional nature and its wide spread usage  and in an overview, here are some of its applications in environment protection.

As we all know that microorganisms are known natural scavengers, the microbial preparations (both natural and those genetically engineered) can be used to clean up the environmental hazards.  These living microorganisms are used through bioremediation which is a biotechnology technique used to degrade contaminants present in the soil and groundwater system.

These microorganisms degrade toxic pollutants into less toxic compounds.The main application of environmental biotechnology is the bio degradation of organic matter of municipal wastewater and bio degradation/detoxification of hazardous substances in industrial wastewater.

Unlike the expensive and tedious method of bio degradation that involves continuous supply of oxygen, use of biotechnology employs an Eco-friendly, cost-effective and efficient use of micro-algae in ponds and tanks where sewage treatment is carried out.

 

Bioreactors as a biotechnological tool, is used as equipment for biological treatment of pollutants. The emission of pollutants into the atmosphere (mostly due to industrialization) causes problems such as depletion of the ozone layer, ozone creation in the Earth's atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, photochemical reactions, and harmful impacts on humans, plants, animals and ecosystems.

 Unlike the expensive and less effective conventional methods (incineration, thermal and catalytic oxidation, surface or deep absorption, and condensation) used for chemical and physical control of gaseous pollutants, bio filters are the most ideal method under normal operating conditions of temperature and pressure for biological treatment of gaseous pollutants.

Other applications of environmental biotechnology are the prevention of pollution and restoration of water quality in reservoirs, lakes and rivers, coastal area, in aquifers of groundwater, and treatment of potable water.

The use of biosensors which literally refers to devices that use living organisms or other biological molecules, especially enzymes or antibodies, to detect the presence of chemicals also remains a great biotechnological technique for environmental protection.

Biochips and other biotechnological tools are also used to monitor the quality of the environment, prevent hazardous waste production using biotechnological analogs, develop biodegradable materials for environmental sustainability, produce fuels from biomass and organic wastes, and reduce toxicity.

The industrial use of mineral resources leads to the drastic accumulation of these pollutants in the biosphere. Bioadsorption processes are great tools which are currently being developed and involve using developed bioadsorbers made from renewable materials which function as ion exchangers to effectively perform elimination and disposal of toxic heavy metals from industrial wastewater, ore mine wastewater, seepage water from dumpsites or wastewater from nuclear power stations.

In general, whereas biotechnology is not a panacea, it is an indispensable technology and the most appropriate technology that provides cost-effective and ecofriendly approaches for not just environmental protection but also enhancing conservation of the natural beauty and protecting the great habitat of all living organisms; the earth.

For country like Uganda to benefit from such technology the country must adopt the application of Biotechnology which has huge potential to solve both Environmental and Agricultural challenges like mitigating the out brake of crop diseases which has greatly affected the production in the Agricultural sector.

 About the Authors Jonan Twinamatsiko is biotechnology student at Makerere University and Samuel Nabwiiso is Ugandan  science Journalist .

Uganda breweries commissions, a UGX20Bn Effluent Water treatment facility.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Uganda breweries Limited (UBL) has commissioned a UGX 20 billion water effluent treatment plant which aims at safeguarding water resources in Lake Victoria from being contaminated by brewing effluents.

 The water   treatment plant whose construction began in 2015 filters and purifies water to portable state before it is disposed of cleaner than it was taken out. According to the managers at the brewing company this saves Lake Victoria from being contaminated with Industrial wastes of which some are contaminated with dangerous industrial chemicals from the brewing industry.

 “Uganda Breweries  highly depends  on Lake Victoria  for all  the water it uses in the production  process  its therefore Imperative  that we safeguard the water resources in the lake  for both industrial and Human usage  by establishing the water effluent treatment plant we shall limit on the amount of contaminated water which is disposed of into the lake” said UBL,s head of corporate affairs   Charity Kiyemba during the commissioning of the Environmentally friendly water treatment plant.

(L-R) Uganda Breweries Corporate Relations Sustainability and Public Policy Manager David Onyango, UBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti and KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi taking a tour of the newly launched UBL Effluent treatment plant. 

Conserving natural resources is one of the core values of UBL, the beer making company on many occasions has been engaging in the restoration of depleted forest cover in the country through planting trees in various parts of the country especially in Mpigi District. UBL in partnership with National Forestry Authority Planted restored the forest cover in Navugulu Central forest reserve in Mpigi District (central Uganda) where they planted trees in the 1900 hectares forest.

Apart from restoring forest cover in the depleted government forest reserves, UBL has also engaged in  sanitation outreach programmes where the company has provided improved latrines to various communities in the country particularly in Kampala city which is sign to show that the beer company is committed to protect the country, Environment from all sorts of destruction ranging from Human activities to industrial one’s.

 UBL,s Managing Director  Mark  Ociti  told Journalist that the company has an Environmental vision which aims at reducing the amount of Industrial wastes  generated  by  2020.ociti Explained that UBL is committed to invest in all kinds of technology which will see the Beer brewing company  eliminating   all waste  to landfill  from  their production operations  by finding better  ways  to reduce  the wastes and one of them is the installation of the water effluent treatment  which  will  not only save Lake victoria waters but also supports the company to use the water resources from the lake efficiently.

 “UBL has intentionally and purposely set environmental protection in our sight s  and we  shall continue  to daily put in place mechanisms  and process  that ensure  that UBL as company maintain  green foot print  and leaves lasting  changes  for the communities” he explained.

 How the water Effluent Plant works? The water from  all sections  of the brewery  come through  all the drainages  and it  is sieved  from the course  screen  to remove particles .It goes  to the effluent  pump pit  which later  pumps  it to the retention tank .Here its collected  by the level switches  and when  the water builds up to  a certain level the switches   start automatically  pumps water  into  two retention  tanks , the equalization tank and the emergency  one .The water  then goes  to the fine screen which removes  the remaining  dirty  particles  before  it goes  to the lake or reused by the Industry.

The 20 Billion worth Water effluent plant is multipurpose one because it generates wastes which are used in the generation of power inform of biogas which is used to power the brewery.  Uganda breweries then give out the highly fertile sludge to local farmers who use it as fertilizers.

Launching the plant, Kampala capital city Authority Executive Director Jenipher  Musisi Applauded Uganda Breweries for  Investing  in the technology  which will save the country’s water resources from  being contaminated with Industrial wastes  of which some are very dangerous to the entire Ecosystem in the lake.

“This is good gesture from the brewing company by installing the system this will automatically saves Lake Victoria from being contaminated with industrial effluents  .its these wastes which  has greatly impacted on the quality of water  from Lake Victoria, a lake which is source of livelihoods for millions of population” she said.

   

We must empower people like the politicians who can create policies to cut pollution and protect our oceans and landscapes

If theUnited Nations exists on behalf of “we the peoples”, then UN Environment’s mission must be to improve those people’s lives by radically changing the way we treat this planet.

UNEP Executive Director Erik Solhein

Globally, we have enough money to support this fight. In most cases, we are not short of technical solutions, many of which could create jobs and economic growth. The only raw material we lack is political will and, sometimes, public engagement
That’s why people must always, always, be front and centre in our work to protect the planet.
We must empower people like the politicians who can create policies to cut pollution and protect our oceans and landscapes. People like the company bosses who can help us change the way the world produces and consumes. And people like the students, youth leaders and individual citizens, who can inspire important lifestyle changes in their communities.
In fact, if there is one lesson to draw from the many unexpected political developments of 2016, it’s that we need to listen to and connect directly with all of these people. We need to speak to their gut and to their heart. That means whether we’re talking to a young farmer in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a factory worker in Shanghai, a mayor in the United States, or an industrialist in Germany, we must deliver words and actions with real meaning. We must show why the environment matters to them– from the air they breathe, to the water they drink, to the way they earn a living and feed their families.
As you will see in this report, UN Environment and its partners are taking huge strides to protect our world. We are working with leaders in Malaysia to promote smart waste management and helping the people of Haiti recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Matthew. We are bringing political leaders together to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons, which could save the world from half a degree in warming. We are helping to drive the fight against the illegal trade in wildlife, which now benefits from a ban on ivory trade in China. And thanks to the “Speedo diplomacy” of our Oceans Patron, Lewis Pugh, Antarctica's Ross Sea is now a protected area.
This shows that we are already connecting with people and helping them make the transition to a greener, more sustainable world. But I know that we can – and we must – do even more.
Sometimes people ask me: can I change the world? I always tell them: Who else? Who else but you will change the world? All of humanity’s most important struggles – the anti-slavery movement, the feminist movement, the civil rights movements – they all started with a small but dedicated group of people who clung to their goals and principles in the face of fierce resistance and formidable challenges.
Change starts with you. Change starts with us. We must refuse to be daunted by the scale of the problems we face. We must take bold steps to build a better, healthier, more sustainable future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda partners with KCCA to improve city sanitation

BY SAMUEL NABWIISo.

KAMPALA-UGANDA----Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda (CCBA) has signed a memorandum of Understanding with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with KCCA aims at ensuring keeping Kampala City clean with no plastic wastes.

Under the MOU KCCA will gazette some places in the urban Municipalities of Nakawa and the central division where all plastic wastes will be collated before its being transported to the Plastic recycling Industry for recycling.

Coca-cola Beverages Africa Group Director of Public Affairs and Communication Norah Odwesso (L) signs MOU with KCCA executive Director Jenipher Musisi at the KCCA head office, the MOU will see the beverage company collecting and paying for all plastic wastes collected in the city.    

 Norah Odwesso, the CCBA Group Director of Public Affairs and Communications expressed gratitude for the deal with the city Authority saying it will improve the sanitation status of the city.

“As a responsible Company, we focus on constantly reducing the impact of our packaging on the environment through the light weighting of our packaging material and supporting recycling efforts this will not solve the problem of Environmental impact associated with plastic wastes  but also creates jobs to the many unemployed youth in the city” she said.

In Uganda its CCBA the  first Company to construct PET collection centers across the entire country which The pet collection centers were Launched  in 2010 the collected platic wastes were recycled at the Nakawa based Plastic Recycling Industry (PRI) previously owned by Rwenzor bottling company which was later taken over by CCBA for recycling.

Apart from working with KCCA, CCBA has also partnered with Mukono Municipality and Masaka dioceses to establish plastic collection centres where plastic wastes can be collected and transported to Kampala for recycling. 

Through these recycling efforts, the company has been able to create employment for over 1500 Ugandans, especially the urban poor. Noteworthy, 80% of these collectors are women who at least earn about $17 per week.

Speaking during the MOU signing event, the KCCA Executive Director Mrs. Jeniffer Musisi pledged to route all collected plastic waste using their trucks to the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Plastic Recycling plant at Nakawa.

“As city Authority we are committed to work with CCBA to ensure that all plastic wastes generated in the city is disposed off scientifically to reduce the Environmental impacts associated with poor disposal mechanism such as open burning of  plastic wastes in open air” she promised.

Kampala city like other urban towns generates about 1,680 tons of plastic waste  almost on monthly basis, the wastes accumulated in the city has had environmental impact  like aiding floods in the city due to the wastes blocking the drainage channels in the five Urban Municipalities which make up of Kampala city.

The two Institutions are optimistic that if the MOU is highly supported it will have big impact on the social well faire of the urban poor. According to the statistics from the plastic recycling Industry the plant is now employing 45 permanent staff 70-100 temporary, 120 suppliers and the number is expected to rise if more collection centres are established by KCCA.

CCBA through the PRI pays Ugx 500 per kilogram of plastic wastes collected and delivered to the collecting centres unroute to the recycling plant.