Govt offers condolences over nodding disease

Leaders from Acholi, which is affected by the disease, want the region to be declared a disaster area

The government yesterday fell short of apologising to the people of northern Uganda over the nodding disease, only offering condolences and promised to present a comprehensive report before Parliament today.

The deputy leader of government business, Gen. Moses Ali, acknowledged that the situation was ‘mysterious’ but said he had asked Health Minister Christine Ondoa to explain and answer all demands made by the political leaders of the Acholi sub-region districts where children are affected.

“We accept that the disease has been mysterious. We offer our condolences to the victims and promise to address this House tomorrow (today) on the disease; other matters we shall discuss then,” Gen. Ali said.

For the second time in less than two months, the MPs from northern Uganda had demanded that their area be declared a disaster area or else they ferry all children affected by the disease to Kampala.

“We can see that northern Uganda has been ignored. We need action now,” said Ms Beatrice Anywar, the Kitgum Woman MP.

“Our children are tied to trees like goats to avoid them falling into fires and hurting themselves,” Ms Ms Anywar said.

The mysterious disease was first reported in the Acholi-sub region in 1997.

There are currently more than 3,000 children affected and more than 200 deaths registered at the local health facilities.

Demands
Among the demands of Acholi MPs tabled before Parliament yesterday are: declaring Acholi sub-region a disaster area, having a comprehensive report, creating of mobile clinics, a full budget channeled to the areas, and intensifying research to discover the name and cause of the disease.

In January, Ministry of Health set its third deadline to roll out a comprehensive action plan on nodding disease. This could be the report Dr Ondoa will present to the Parliament today.

snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com