Oulanyah attacks Health minister over nodding disease

Omoro- The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, has accused Health Minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, of denying the existence of nodding syndrome within Acholi sub-region.
Mr Oulanyah, who also doubles as the Omoro County Member of Parliament, said Dr Aceng’s statements were wrong considering the fact that suspected new cases are being reported.

Dr Aceng recently said the Health ministry last recorded a case of nodding syndrome in northern Uganda in 2012 and that the condition is being confused with epilepsy.

“To say that there are no cases of nodding syndrome when you are comfortable in Kampala is not fair. It’s like you are not taking your job, profession and the country seriously because on the ground, there are new suspected cases that are being reported,” Mr Oulanyah said.

He added: “If you say these are epilepsy cases, how does one explain the retarded growth in those affected, how do you explain the nodding and seizures these children undergo, or is it a different kind of epilepsy we don’t know?”

Mr Oulanyah said Dr Aceng’s statements have made affected families lose hope since the government through an individual is alleging that everything is okay.

“The little hope that these families affected by nodding syndrome had have dashed away on learning that government, which should be helping them is now, denying the existence of the strange syndrome,” he said.

He made the remarks on Sunday while handing over assortments of fortified food, hoes, maize seeds and soap to more than 60 households affected families in Akoyo village, Odek Sub-county in Omoro District.

The items were donated by Office of the Prime Minister, Amo Company, Mukwano Group of Companies and Mahdvani Group.

Mr Oulanyah appealed for government intervention saying the issues at hand are dire. “Our country, the Parliament and the cabinet needs explanation on nodding syndrome but not denials. We should not politick on this matter,” he said.

He said that the government is making strides to reopen the nodding syndrome centre that was closed by Hope for Humans in December last year over limited funds.

The district chairperson, Mr Douglas Peter Okello, said the district health team is monitoring 62 new suspected nodding syndrome cases in the villages of Akoyo, Luker and Palaro.
He said those showing signs and symptoms of the syndrome are within the age bracket of two to 20 years.