NEWS: Fight against neglected diseases starts in Teso

Fight against neglected diseases starts in Teso

Friday April 24, 2009 from MONITOR ONLINE

A campaign against neglected diseases, such as filariasis that causes elephantiasis and hydro-cell among men, has started in Katine Sub-county, Soroti District. The African Medical and Research Foundation [Amref] in conjunction with the Ministry of Health are jointly conducting the campaign.The Amref Health Programme Officer, Mr Joseph Otim, said in an interview on Wednesday that research has shown that the districts of Katakwi, Amuria and Soroti have areas harbouring mosquitoes that spread the disease. He said Katine is one of the affected areas.Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic worms that live in the lymph system, causing swelling and the thickening of the skin. For men, this could also mean the swelling of the scrotum. It has dramatic effect that appears usually in 15 years and above, from the date a mosquito bites. Mr Otim said the campaign forms part of Uganda’s national Child Days Plus programme aimed at boosting children’s immunity against diseases, de-worming children between the ages of one and 14 and providing Vitamin A supplements.Mr Otim said, “We are immunising children of all ages and pregnant women against TB, polio, tetanus, measles. ” He added, “We shall also be distributing tablets to the community against filariasis disease that causes elephantiasis and hydro-cell which are common in the districts of Soroti, Amuria, and Katakwi.” The exercise in Katine involves early infant diagnosis of disease among children from six weeks to 18 months, eye screening, treating neglected tropical diseases (such as filariasis, bilharzia and river blindness), and the promotion of key healthcare family practices like breast feeding, hygiene and sanitation.Mr Otim said the community members with eye defects would also get free treatment. The campaign that commenced on April 16, will last for one month with apparently 7,032 students getting de-wormed against intestinal worms. Mr Otim says they will traverse all the 66 villages in Katine and treat about 29,000 people free of charge from the above ailments during the campaign.