Suicidal behavior has existed throughout human history, but due to several complex factors, it has increased gradually in all parts of the world and, in the past few decades, has reached alarming statistical levels. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, this is one person every 40 seconds.

It is important to emphasize that it is a topic that has attracted the interest of most fields of study for centuries, which is why it has been explored by philosophy, religion, medicine, sociology, bioethics, law, and psychology, among other fields. It is often believed that it is only adults who exhibit suicidal behaviors, but it should be made known that many children and young people engage in this kind of behavior as a result of violence, sexual abuse, bullying and cyber bullying.

A student in his final year pursuing Medicine at Makerere University this year committed suicide for losing his savings from his first year over 15 million shillings. Well most of you are wondering why a university student in his final year can decide to commit suicide for just 15 million shillings, it is very possible. A lot of focus is put on the adults forgetting that young people too face psychological torture that can mentally perturb them. Assume this student had someone to talk to about this, maybe he would be among those that are to graduate. Let us help society learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors and warning signs, and ongoing research about suicide and suicide prevention because the effects of suicide go beyond the person who acts to take his or her life: it can have a lasting effect on family, friends, and communities.

Suicide is a global public health problem that deserves the attention of all the actors in the field of mental health, including scientific and professional organizations, organizations for mental health users and their families, and universities. It deserves particular attention from government and national health authorities, since it is their responsibility to craft policies and directives aimed at establishing strategies to prevent suicide and promote the public’s mental health. Not leaving out the role of both print and audiovisual communication media and of social media, their participation can have positive as well as negative effects, depending on how they address this subject.

There are numerous complex factors that contribute to suicide, but what is most important is that all of our actions must be geared toward prevention. Accordingly, it is important that trans-sectoral and interdisciplinary action be taken by all of the actors involved.

Getting people to talk about a subject that tends to be a taboo and about which many hold mistaken and prejudiced ideas will help the community to learn about the risk factors so that they can identify and learn to address them.

Suicide is preventable and can therefore be avoided, which is why all of our efforts and public policies should focus on prevention. However, oftentimes, people who suffer from mental illness lack access to mental health services, sometimes because there are no services in their community and sometimes because they must wait months to be seen.

By: Faith Nabunya

Communication Associate at CEHURD

28^th November, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Infants put in Harm’s way in a bid to prove a scientific belief!

Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) and Partners have today filed a case in the High Court of Uganda challenging the act of subjecting helpless children between 28 days to 12 years of age to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in a bid prove a scientific belief.

This research allegedly seeks to establish whether the use of oxygen is necessary in the treatment of Oxygen deficiency in children. This research process deliberately denies oxygen to these vulnerable children suffering from breathing complications (oxygen deficiency) and in some cases subjected to very low levels of oxygen which is highly life threatening.

It is reported that this trial has led to allegedly 41% deaths in Mulago National Referral Hospital alone, but the research is still being carried out in Mbale, Soroti and Jinja regional referral hospitals.

As Human rights activists, we believe that this infringes fundamental rights including the right to life and yet children are protected under Article 34(2) of the constitution which states that children should not be denied basic needs due to a belief. We believe that the nation has to pick interest in these life threatening scientific trials and the state should invoke its duty to protect citizens subjected to such harsh trials.

The clinical trial is conducted way below the ethical standards for research and contravenes the constitution and laws of Uganda. Worse still, the research did not seek for a Certificate of Approval from National Drug Authority (NDA) which is a requirement prior to conducting any clinical trial on pharmaceuticals in Uganda. 

Such clinical trails are against the set clinical practice guidelines and guidelines of medical practice and research both locally and internationally, given the fact that the doctors swear an oath to do no harm.

We therefore ask the high Court for declarations, interim orders, and permanent relief to stop the conduct of this clinical trial which we deem unethical and falling below the constitutional values of this country. We further ask the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council (UMDPC) and the Uganda human rights commission to investigate the human rights and ethical implications of the clinical trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please call 0414532283 or write to info@cehurd.org and copy nsereko@cehurd.org

By Jacqueline Twemanye

On an eventful Thursday evening of 7th November 2019, Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) had its 10 years’ celebrations at Sheraton Kampala Hotel in a memorable event for not only making 10 years of existence but for emerging as a key player in the field of advancing human rights and social justice in health; with a reputation for using bold strategies to realize and expand the right to health.

Clearly this milestone could not have been achieved overnight, it has taken 10 years of persistence, hard work, focus, determination and a clear vision to come this far in pursuit for justice in the health sector. This is backed by Prof. Joe Oloka Onyango, the day’s Keynote speakers’ description of CEHURD as “a vibrant, vivacious and vigorous organisation”.

For years, CEHURD has trodden dusty roads to reach far-end vulnerable communities as well as high-end policy making levels driven by a passion to bridge health gaps.

“What inspired me to embark on this journey was my Mother-a retired nurse and the challenges she went through while practicing, secondly the people who were of great influence in my walk of life and lastly the question of how Lawyers could use the constitutional language to demand for an improved health system” – Mr. Mulumba Moses, Executive Director CEHURD.

It is of no wonder that CEHURD has transformed the advocacy environment around the right to health, communities have become more aware of their right to a proper health care system and in turn demand for it. CEHURD not only deals in legal practice but also translates the theoretical and conceptual health issues into research and advocacy.

“I do not take the 10 years of CEHURD for granted, when two of my former students came to my office and said they had started an organisation aimed at promoting the right to health and human rights, as a founding teacher of Health & the Law and Health law and Policy at Makerere University, I was excited.” – Prof. Ben Twinomugisha, Board Chairperson CEHURD.                                                                                

It was on this day (7th November), that CEHURD launched its Strategic Plan (2020-2024) –Rebound | Innovate | Sustain, which is a compass to the five years ahead.

“It is not only a celebration for the past, it is a celebration for the future now that the strategic plan has been launched. We very much look forward to working closely with CEHURD in these coming years especially in areas of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights” –Mr. Ola Hallgren, Head of Cooperation Embassy of Sweden.

Congratulations CEHURD! To more years of impactful existence.

The Writer is a Communications Officer at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).

An article in the daily monitor on Friday 23rd August 2019 by Honourable Michael Bukenya Iga articulating the role of investing in young people and the relevant policies.