Uganda to start aerial spraying of tsetse flies
Monday, 21st September, 2009 from NEW VISION
UGANDA is to start aerial spraying to eradicate tsetse flies, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. Uganda is one of the 37 sub-Sahara African countries infested with tsetse flies. Two-thirds of the country is affected, putting about nine million people at risk of contracting sleeping sickness. About 700 new cases are reported annually. Also, 70% of Uganda’s national herd is at risk of contracting nagana. Agriculture minister Hope Mwesigye said aerial spraying would be carried out in the south-eastern and north-western regions, which are heavily-infested with three major tsetse fly species which cause an acute form of sleeping sickness, as well as another chronic form of the disease. “We have been having many interventions such as tsetse traps, but we are now looking at spraying, which is an area-wide approach. The tsetse flies keep coming from the game parks, so aerial spraying will eradicate sleeping sickness and nagana. The chemical does not affect humans,” Mwesigye said. She called for investment in research and the development of more effective drugs against sleeping sickness and nagana. “There is no vaccine against this disease and no new drugs are being developed. Currently, there is also a limited range of drugs. These drugs are highly toxic and increasingly becoming ineffective due to drug resistance.” Mwesigye was addressing the 30th international scientific council for trypanosomiasis research and control conference at Speke Resort, Munyonyo yesterday. The minister, however, did not disclose the amount of funds that will be involved in the programme or when it would start. She noted that the programme is in its initial stages and a technical team is jointly being put in place by the health and animal husbandry ministries. The districts infested with tsetse flies include Mukono, Kayunga, Jinja, Kamuli, Bugiri, Kaliro, Busia, Mayuge, Iganga, Pallisa, Soroti, Tororo, Dokolo, Lira, Kaberamaido, Kalangala and Namutumba. Others are Adjumani, Koboko, Arua, Moyo, Maracha-Terego, Yumbe and Amuru. President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech read by second deputy premier Eriya Kategaya, said Africa is lagging behind in development due to the high burden of preventable diseases. He said Uganda had developed a national programme to eliminate tsetse flies.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
NEWS: Cerebral Malaria- Shortage of drugs increases infections
Cerebral Malaria- Shortage of drugs increases infectionsSunday, 6th September, 2009 from NEW VISION
In the past six months, Uganda has seen an increase in cerebral malaria cases, which experts at the Malaria Consortium, an international organisation that controls the disease at all levels, are attributing to a shortage of malaria drugs throughout the country. The Consortium blames the shortage of drugs on poor planning and the stalling of the Global Fund disbursement that was effected early last year. However, when approached, the health ministry officials declined to comment. According to Daniel Kyabiirize, an epidemiologist at the Malaria Consortium, Uganda has over 300,000 cases of malaria a year, and 25% progress to cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria is a complication of a type of malaria parasite called plasmodium falciparium. It is a more advanced and dangerous form of malaria. It causes neurological disorders and can also lead to death. This condition occurs when malaria goes untreated. Patients experience symptoms between 10 and 35 days after the mosquito bite. The parasites multiply in the body’s blood cells and block the blood’s pathway. This leads to a shortage of oxygen and nutrients in the brain, causing neurological disorders and death. Symptoms Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizures, delirium and confusion. One in nine patients who survive cerebral malaria develops epilepsy. Although 50% of epilepsy cases have had no malaria, the disease is linked to cerebral malaria, especially among children. “Because of the brain involvement with cerebral malaria, patients sometimes get convulsions or seizures,” says David Basangwa, a psychologist at Butabika Hospital. In most cases, epileptic patients seek the help of traditional healers, believing that the disease has spiritual causes. Though medication that helps reduce seizures is prescribed in health centres, it has side effects like drowsiness which interferes with other medications. Dr. Richard Idro, a paediatrician at Mulago Hospital, says cerebral malaria causes serious neurological problems, such as cerebral palsy, learning problems, hyperactivity, as well as blindness and hearing problems. Who is at risk? Children, visitors from non-malaria endemic areas, women in their first pregnancies, and people who live in Kabale and the highlands are susceptible. During the first six months of a child’s life, a baby retains antibodies from its mother, who has some resistance to malaria. But these soon wear off. The child is unprotected and can easily develop malaria infections until they develop immunity. A major challenge that Uganda faces is the shortage of neurologists to handle the consequences of severe malaria. Most specialists are based in Mulago, and Mbarara hospitals or the Kampala-based Butabika hospital. “This has led to a current increase in mental illness and disease,” says Kyabirize. Curbing the condition Treatment aught to be within 24 hours of experiencing fever. The Ministry of Health recommends treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria infection. Spraying of chemicals in homes has also helped reduce the rates of malaria infection. Get rid of latent containers of water where mosquitoes might breed. Cases of the disease in Uganda 25% of cases are cerebral, a dangerous form of malaria Of the 300,000 malaria cases a year, 75,000 are cerebral Dangers of cerebral malaria Death:15-20% of children die Epilepsy Blindness, deafness Neurological disorders Learning problems
Monday, August 17, 2009
NEWS: Typhoid kills 20 in Bukwo
Typhoid kills 20 in Bukwo
from MONITOR online August 17, 2009
BukwoDespite efforts by the government to combat typhoid in Bukwo District, fresh reports indicate that the disease is still spreading in the district and that at least 20 people have succumbed to it.The Ministry of Health Field Epidemiologist, Dr Luswa Lukwago, who has been on research and surveillance in the district, confirmed to Daily Monitor the new development on the epidemic.He said: “Over 20 people have been reported dead and on average every family has about four cases.” “Although we have treated the disease, recent research and surveillance indicates that the disease is still in Suam, Kapkorosoy, Kapkuripson and Kabei sub-counties,” he added.Dr Lukwago said this after making a presentation of the disease status report to the district team on Wednesday.He said many cases never receive adequate treatment and others who fled to Kenya came back.“We have been treating patients using chlorampheonical and ceftraxone but the two drugs ran out of stock, forcing many to seek traditional means,” he said.Dr Lukwago said the poor latrine distribution in the district and the free movement across the border points between Uganda and Kenya is responsible for the disease spread in the wake of shortage of drugs.Bukwo has 57 per cent latrine coverage in the district and most of them are open structures that leave the human waste exposed.Also about 400 cases are believed to have fled to Kenya after the disease broke out in the villages surrounding River Bukwo and are now returning.He revealed that because many people died without getting medical attention, they have lost faith in the local health system and have now turned to Kenya where they believe they will receive better medical services.The World Health Organisation Public Health Specialist, Dr Mary Amongin, confirmed the disease is still spreading in Bukwo, claiming about 22 people and leaving about 32 bed-ridden in Bukwo Health Centre.
from MONITOR online August 17, 2009
BukwoDespite efforts by the government to combat typhoid in Bukwo District, fresh reports indicate that the disease is still spreading in the district and that at least 20 people have succumbed to it.The Ministry of Health Field Epidemiologist, Dr Luswa Lukwago, who has been on research and surveillance in the district, confirmed to Daily Monitor the new development on the epidemic.He said: “Over 20 people have been reported dead and on average every family has about four cases.” “Although we have treated the disease, recent research and surveillance indicates that the disease is still in Suam, Kapkorosoy, Kapkuripson and Kabei sub-counties,” he added.Dr Lukwago said this after making a presentation of the disease status report to the district team on Wednesday.He said many cases never receive adequate treatment and others who fled to Kenya came back.“We have been treating patients using chlorampheonical and ceftraxone but the two drugs ran out of stock, forcing many to seek traditional means,” he said.Dr Lukwago said the poor latrine distribution in the district and the free movement across the border points between Uganda and Kenya is responsible for the disease spread in the wake of shortage of drugs.Bukwo has 57 per cent latrine coverage in the district and most of them are open structures that leave the human waste exposed.Also about 400 cases are believed to have fled to Kenya after the disease broke out in the villages surrounding River Bukwo and are now returning.He revealed that because many people died without getting medical attention, they have lost faith in the local health system and have now turned to Kenya where they believe they will receive better medical services.The World Health Organisation Public Health Specialist, Dr Mary Amongin, confirmed the disease is still spreading in Bukwo, claiming about 22 people and leaving about 32 bed-ridden in Bukwo Health Centre.
N EWS: NDA bans use of Metakeflin to treat Malaria
NDA bans use of Metakeflin to treat Malariafrom MONITOR online 8/17/09
National Drug Authority (NDA) Executive Secretary, Apollo Muhairwe with the banned Metakelfin at NDA offices. Muhairwe urged patients not to buy Metakelfin for any therapeutic purposes. Photo by Nelson Wesonga
The National Drug Authority (NDA), the national drug regulator, has banned the use of Metakeflin tablets which are used to treat malaria.Addressing a press conference today morning at the NDA offices in Kampala, the regulator’s Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Muhairwe said this follows a change in the Malaria Treatment Policy by the Ministry of Health in which Artemisinin based Combination Therapies (ACTs) were adopted as first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.“Thus, all antimalarials that do not contain ACTs were phased out in that regard, in order to curb the emerging resistance amongst the available ant malarial drugs,” Mr Muhairwe said.Mr Muhairwe told journalists that NDA stopped the importation of Metakelfin (sulphurmethoxypyrazin/pyrimethamine) in May last year. Mr Muhairwe also showed journalists some of the tablets that were seized after they discovered they found their way into the country through unscrupulous means. Out of every 15 batches, 10 of them were counterfeit.All drug stores have been asked to surrender all the stocks of Metakelfin to the drugs authority.
Friday, August 7, 2009
NEWS: Jinja man dies after taking expired drugs
Jinja man dies after taking expired drugs
August 7, 2009 from MONITOR online
JinjaOne man has died and another is in critical condition after taking suspected expired drugs in Jinja. Bonny Ojede, a resident of Jinja Town, died on Tuesday at Jinja Hospital after almost all the skin had peeled off his body in spite of all efforts by the medical staff to save his life.The Nursing Officer in charge of Ward Four, Ms Mebra Namaganda, told Daily Monitor on Wednesday that Ojede was admitted at the hospital two weeks ago after he had undergone self medication against malaria with unknown drugs that he had bought from a local drug shop yet to be established. Ojede was buried yesterday at Ayeri Sub-county in Apac District.Another patient is in critical condition from a similar cause. Mr Samuel Mukisa of Ibulanku Sub-county in Iganga District, is still undergoing treatment at the same hospital but Ms Namaganda said his condition is still critical. He is also suspected to have taken expired drugs from a local drug store. According to Jinja Hospital staff, Mr Mukisa’s condition has continued to be worrying because his skin continues to peel off despite all the medication that has been administered to him. Ms Namaganda said although the cause has not yet been established, poisoning arising from the consumption of expired drugs cannot at the moment be completely ruled out.Mr Mukisa’s wife, Esther Namaganda, a teacher at Nakalama Muslim Primary School, said since she does not stay with her husband, a teacher at Nakivumbi Nursery and Primary School, she was not there when he took the drugs but found some in the house the next day.“When I was called the next day, I found Herpex, Coartem and Panadol tablets in the house,” she said. She said her husband told her that he had bought the drugs from a local drug shop after developing a cold and used them as per the prescription given by the person who sold them to him.She tearfully narrated that just after one day, her husband had developed blisters all over the body and he could not see properly. “We first went to Iganga Hospital from where we were referred here (Jinja Hospital) where he has undergone treatment for the past two weeks,” she said.
August 7, 2009 from MONITOR online
JinjaOne man has died and another is in critical condition after taking suspected expired drugs in Jinja. Bonny Ojede, a resident of Jinja Town, died on Tuesday at Jinja Hospital after almost all the skin had peeled off his body in spite of all efforts by the medical staff to save his life.The Nursing Officer in charge of Ward Four, Ms Mebra Namaganda, told Daily Monitor on Wednesday that Ojede was admitted at the hospital two weeks ago after he had undergone self medication against malaria with unknown drugs that he had bought from a local drug shop yet to be established. Ojede was buried yesterday at Ayeri Sub-county in Apac District.Another patient is in critical condition from a similar cause. Mr Samuel Mukisa of Ibulanku Sub-county in Iganga District, is still undergoing treatment at the same hospital but Ms Namaganda said his condition is still critical. He is also suspected to have taken expired drugs from a local drug store. According to Jinja Hospital staff, Mr Mukisa’s condition has continued to be worrying because his skin continues to peel off despite all the medication that has been administered to him. Ms Namaganda said although the cause has not yet been established, poisoning arising from the consumption of expired drugs cannot at the moment be completely ruled out.Mr Mukisa’s wife, Esther Namaganda, a teacher at Nakalama Muslim Primary School, said since she does not stay with her husband, a teacher at Nakivumbi Nursery and Primary School, she was not there when he took the drugs but found some in the house the next day.“When I was called the next day, I found Herpex, Coartem and Panadol tablets in the house,” she said. She said her husband told her that he had bought the drugs from a local drug shop after developing a cold and used them as per the prescription given by the person who sold them to him.She tearfully narrated that just after one day, her husband had developed blisters all over the body and he could not see properly. “We first went to Iganga Hospital from where we were referred here (Jinja Hospital) where he has undergone treatment for the past two weeks,” she said.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
NEWS: Drought bites northern Uganda
Drought bites northern Uganda
from MONITOR ONLINE
GuluFollowing a lull in war in northern Uganda in the last three years, Mr Nicholas Obita returned to his village in Bwobo, Manun Parish, Alero Sub-county in Amuru District. A place he considers a safe haven because of its fertile soils.Like many farmers, Mr Obita embarked on agriculture both for consumption and commercial purposes with hope of getting a good harvest.However, the peaceful sanctuary has turned into the scene of catastrophe as he watches his crops waste away due to drought.“Three months ago, I hired a tractor and opened up over 15 acres for different crops. I planted maize in an eight- acre piece of land and I was expecting to get over 200 bags but the rain has let me down. I am headed for a total loss,” Mr Obita says.He says the wet season that usually lasts between March and June disappeared too soon and the rain was too little to sustain the crops. Mr Obita is one of the farmers in northern Uganda who were determined to forget about squalid living conditions they experienced in camps and concentrate on farming.Their dreams of having a good harvest are fading away as the drought continues to bite hard. Mr Albert Okwera, a lead farmer in Pawel Parish in Gulu District, said the dry spell has destroyed 120 acres of crops. He says last year he earned Shs6 million from the sale of sweet potatoes but that might not be possible this year. “I decided to increase the acres and planted more crops this year. I was hoping to get a good harvest and earn more money. The rice that I planted three months ago has failed to grow,” he explained. Gulu Resident District Commissioner Walter Ochora, who is a commercial farmer in Amuru District, is also feeling the pinch of the dry spell. He says the sun has destroyed his 100 acres of maize crop.Mr Ochora says it is important that farmers resort to planting perennial crops like cow peas, which are drought resistant to minimise vulnerability in case of a crisis like the current one which is causing distress in many parts of the country.Ms Christine Aber, who belongs to a farmers’ group in Kitgum District, says at the beginning of the year the group planted over 10 acres of groundnuts but the crops have succumbed to the scorching sun. “My children are starving, I sell charcoal to buy food, if people don’t buy the charcoal I don’t get money for food,” she says. This nightmare scenario is the reality for farmers of northern Uganda.Climate change is bringing huge challenges. In a bid to address the challenge the Agriculture and Fisheries State Minister, Mr Fred Mukisa, says the government has allocated Shs5 billion for the development of irrigation schemes in selected parts of the country.Mr Mukisa explains that the project, which comes at a time when many parts of the country are experiencing drought because of climatic changes, is expected to benefit farmers in rural areas across the country.
from MONITOR ONLINE
GuluFollowing a lull in war in northern Uganda in the last three years, Mr Nicholas Obita returned to his village in Bwobo, Manun Parish, Alero Sub-county in Amuru District. A place he considers a safe haven because of its fertile soils.Like many farmers, Mr Obita embarked on agriculture both for consumption and commercial purposes with hope of getting a good harvest.However, the peaceful sanctuary has turned into the scene of catastrophe as he watches his crops waste away due to drought.“Three months ago, I hired a tractor and opened up over 15 acres for different crops. I planted maize in an eight- acre piece of land and I was expecting to get over 200 bags but the rain has let me down. I am headed for a total loss,” Mr Obita says.He says the wet season that usually lasts between March and June disappeared too soon and the rain was too little to sustain the crops. Mr Obita is one of the farmers in northern Uganda who were determined to forget about squalid living conditions they experienced in camps and concentrate on farming.Their dreams of having a good harvest are fading away as the drought continues to bite hard. Mr Albert Okwera, a lead farmer in Pawel Parish in Gulu District, said the dry spell has destroyed 120 acres of crops. He says last year he earned Shs6 million from the sale of sweet potatoes but that might not be possible this year. “I decided to increase the acres and planted more crops this year. I was hoping to get a good harvest and earn more money. The rice that I planted three months ago has failed to grow,” he explained. Gulu Resident District Commissioner Walter Ochora, who is a commercial farmer in Amuru District, is also feeling the pinch of the dry spell. He says the sun has destroyed his 100 acres of maize crop.Mr Ochora says it is important that farmers resort to planting perennial crops like cow peas, which are drought resistant to minimise vulnerability in case of a crisis like the current one which is causing distress in many parts of the country.Ms Christine Aber, who belongs to a farmers’ group in Kitgum District, says at the beginning of the year the group planted over 10 acres of groundnuts but the crops have succumbed to the scorching sun. “My children are starving, I sell charcoal to buy food, if people don’t buy the charcoal I don’t get money for food,” she says. This nightmare scenario is the reality for farmers of northern Uganda.Climate change is bringing huge challenges. In a bid to address the challenge the Agriculture and Fisheries State Minister, Mr Fred Mukisa, says the government has allocated Shs5 billion for the development of irrigation schemes in selected parts of the country.Mr Mukisa explains that the project, which comes at a time when many parts of the country are experiencing drought because of climatic changes, is expected to benefit farmers in rural areas across the country.
NEWS: Food shortage hits 52 districts
Food shortage hits 52 districts
Wednesday, 15th July, 2009
SEVENTEEN districts in the north and northeastern Uganda are experiencing famine, the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, told Parliament yesterday. He said 52 districts countrywide were faced with food insecurity. Nsibambi categorised the food crisis in three levels; famine, acute food shortage and moderate food shortage. He was contributing to the debate on the recent State of the Nation address by President Museveni. Famine, he said, was being experienced in Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Bukwo, Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Moyo, Yumbe, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit and Abim. The Prime Minister told the House presided over by the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, that acute food shortage was being experienced in 31 districts, while four districts faced moderate food shortage. He named persistent poor agricultural performance in Karamoja, the continued stay of people in internally displaced person’s camps in Acholi and Adjumani, the impact of the 2007 floods in Teso and dry conditions along the cattle corridor as the major causes. Nsibambi said the Government released sh10b in June and another sh10b for food relief. He added that the department of relief and disaster preparedness and refugees needed an additional sh30b to alleviate the situation. Nsibambi pointed out that the National Agricultural Advisory Services was distributing free maize, sorghum seeds, cassava cuttings and farming implements, including hand hoes and fertilisers, to the affected households. He noted the need to shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to irrigation and tapping gravitational water from Sipi falls off Mt. Elgon for irrigation in Teso and Karamoja. He announced that sh5b had been allocated for irrigation systems and that $100m (about sh200b) was being secured from the Islamic Bank to support the scheme. Nsibambi said the Cabinet, chaired by President Museveni, had on Wednesday deliberated on the food security issues. “I have requested the Minister of Local Government to use Section 95 of the Local Government Act to direct districts to make ordinances (bye-laws) which will compel homesteads to maintain granaries for food storage,” he stated. He said climate change, increasing occurrences of extreme weather and climate variability like droughts, floods, hailstorms, heat waves were caused by an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Seasons, he said, had become erratic and difficult to predict. “While advancement in technology had made it possible to predict climate six months in advance, it is still difficult to predict the distribution of rainfall over seasons,” he said. In Uganda, the rainy season had not performed according to the forecasts, Nsibambi added. He noted that security situation in the north and north eastern Uganda had normalised.
Wednesday, 15th July, 2009
SEVENTEEN districts in the north and northeastern Uganda are experiencing famine, the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, told Parliament yesterday. He said 52 districts countrywide were faced with food insecurity. Nsibambi categorised the food crisis in three levels; famine, acute food shortage and moderate food shortage. He was contributing to the debate on the recent State of the Nation address by President Museveni. Famine, he said, was being experienced in Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Bukwo, Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Moyo, Yumbe, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit and Abim. The Prime Minister told the House presided over by the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, that acute food shortage was being experienced in 31 districts, while four districts faced moderate food shortage. He named persistent poor agricultural performance in Karamoja, the continued stay of people in internally displaced person’s camps in Acholi and Adjumani, the impact of the 2007 floods in Teso and dry conditions along the cattle corridor as the major causes. Nsibambi said the Government released sh10b in June and another sh10b for food relief. He added that the department of relief and disaster preparedness and refugees needed an additional sh30b to alleviate the situation. Nsibambi pointed out that the National Agricultural Advisory Services was distributing free maize, sorghum seeds, cassava cuttings and farming implements, including hand hoes and fertilisers, to the affected households. He noted the need to shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to irrigation and tapping gravitational water from Sipi falls off Mt. Elgon for irrigation in Teso and Karamoja. He announced that sh5b had been allocated for irrigation systems and that $100m (about sh200b) was being secured from the Islamic Bank to support the scheme. Nsibambi said the Cabinet, chaired by President Museveni, had on Wednesday deliberated on the food security issues. “I have requested the Minister of Local Government to use Section 95 of the Local Government Act to direct districts to make ordinances (bye-laws) which will compel homesteads to maintain granaries for food storage,” he stated. He said climate change, increasing occurrences of extreme weather and climate variability like droughts, floods, hailstorms, heat waves were caused by an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Seasons, he said, had become erratic and difficult to predict. “While advancement in technology had made it possible to predict climate six months in advance, it is still difficult to predict the distribution of rainfall over seasons,” he said. In Uganda, the rainy season had not performed according to the forecasts, Nsibambi added. He noted that security situation in the north and north eastern Uganda had normalised.
NEWS: Arua in plague outbreak alert
Arua in plague outbreak alert
from MONITOR ONLINE
The community in Arua District has been put on high alert over an outbreak of a deadly bubonic plague disease that killed 17 people last year. In this regard, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Arua health team launched a campaign on Friday to sensitise the community on causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of the deadly disease. The District Health Officer, Dr Patrick Anguzu, said the campaign is a precautionary measure in case of any outbreak. “Our community must keep their environment clean especially the houses because the rats that transmit the disease thrive in unclean environment.” In bubonic plague, the most common form, bacteria infects the lymph system and becomes inflamed. The lymph or lymphatic system is a major component of the body’s immune system. Dr Anguzu told Daily Monitor that no new case of the disease has yet been reported in the district this year. Last years’ statistics from Arua health office indicate that 73 cases of human infections and 17 deaths were reported, the highest figure in two years. Dr Anguzu added that 29 cases have since been confirmed to be of bubonic strain. “This is the season that we highly suspect the outbreak of the disease. So we need to keep the community on alert,” he added. Within three to seven days of exposure to the plague bacteria, a person develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, weakness, and swollen, tender lymph glands. The community sensitisation campaign is being carried out in the disease prone areas of Vurra and Logiri. But even then, the surrounding area of Kango Sub-county in Nebbi, which borders Logiri, must not be left out. Historically, the bubonic plague is reported to have originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo especially from Aru and Ariwara. The campaign, Dr Anguzu said, is aimed at educating residents who keep pets like cats, which are also susceptible to plague. In this case, infected cats become sick and may directly transmit plague to people who handle or care for them.
from MONITOR ONLINE
The community in Arua District has been put on high alert over an outbreak of a deadly bubonic plague disease that killed 17 people last year. In this regard, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Arua health team launched a campaign on Friday to sensitise the community on causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of the deadly disease. The District Health Officer, Dr Patrick Anguzu, said the campaign is a precautionary measure in case of any outbreak. “Our community must keep their environment clean especially the houses because the rats that transmit the disease thrive in unclean environment.” In bubonic plague, the most common form, bacteria infects the lymph system and becomes inflamed. The lymph or lymphatic system is a major component of the body’s immune system. Dr Anguzu told Daily Monitor that no new case of the disease has yet been reported in the district this year. Last years’ statistics from Arua health office indicate that 73 cases of human infections and 17 deaths were reported, the highest figure in two years. Dr Anguzu added that 29 cases have since been confirmed to be of bubonic strain. “This is the season that we highly suspect the outbreak of the disease. So we need to keep the community on alert,” he added. Within three to seven days of exposure to the plague bacteria, a person develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, weakness, and swollen, tender lymph glands. The community sensitisation campaign is being carried out in the disease prone areas of Vurra and Logiri. But even then, the surrounding area of Kango Sub-county in Nebbi, which borders Logiri, must not be left out. Historically, the bubonic plague is reported to have originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo especially from Aru and Ariwara. The campaign, Dr Anguzu said, is aimed at educating residents who keep pets like cats, which are also susceptible to plague. In this case, infected cats become sick and may directly transmit plague to people who handle or care for them.
NEWS: Uganda Heart Institute becomes independent
Uganda Heart Institute becomes independent
from MONITOR ONLINE
A 40-bed in-patient heart institute, to engage in preventive, curative, educational, rehabilitation and research activities on cardiac diseases has been opened in Mulago Hospital.
The Uganda Heart Institute, which boosts a 12- bed intensive care unit, has been curved out of the hospital.
According to Dr John Omagino, the director of the institute, important aspects like specific training to become a cardiac surgeon and promotional benefits which were ignored while still under Mulago, are to be considered. The institute will offer diagnostic services, surgery and training of staff from different institutions like Makerere University, Kampala International and Nsambya hospitals among others.
On average, it receives 100 patients a day. Though the institute had always been carrying out different types of surgeries, it received public recognition in 2007 after a successful open heart surgery that saw the President Museveni visit it. Last month, the institute carried out the successful heart operation of 102-year-old Ssebowa.
An open heart surgery is between $500-700 (about Shs1 million – Shs 1.5 million) while a closed one is $1,500 (about Shs3 million). Though it has become a separate entity, Dr Omagino assures of its continued relationship with Mulago Hospital.
from MONITOR ONLINE
A 40-bed in-patient heart institute, to engage in preventive, curative, educational, rehabilitation and research activities on cardiac diseases has been opened in Mulago Hospital.
The Uganda Heart Institute, which boosts a 12- bed intensive care unit, has been curved out of the hospital.
According to Dr John Omagino, the director of the institute, important aspects like specific training to become a cardiac surgeon and promotional benefits which were ignored while still under Mulago, are to be considered. The institute will offer diagnostic services, surgery and training of staff from different institutions like Makerere University, Kampala International and Nsambya hospitals among others.
On average, it receives 100 patients a day. Though the institute had always been carrying out different types of surgeries, it received public recognition in 2007 after a successful open heart surgery that saw the President Museveni visit it. Last month, the institute carried out the successful heart operation of 102-year-old Ssebowa.
An open heart surgery is between $500-700 (about Shs1 million – Shs 1.5 million) while a closed one is $1,500 (about Shs3 million). Though it has become a separate entity, Dr Omagino assures of its continued relationship with Mulago Hospital.
NEWS: Amuru grapples with doctor shortage
Amuru grapples with doctor shortage
from MONITOR ONLINE
All through the peak of insurgency in northern Uganda, Esther Achen, 54, spent two decades in Amuru District, the epicentre of armed conflict, serving as a midwife at Anaka Hospital. Ms Achen, who comes from the neighbouring Lango sub-region in Apac District, persevered and did not quit her job, risking possible abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. Her motivation was to serve fellow displaced persons, the poor and helpless, who did not have any other specialised medical worker to attend to them, or had difficulty accessing a doctor while in the camps.Unfortunately, she suffered a severe stroke in 2001 while at the hospital attending to patients. The stroke paralysed both her limbs, leaving her physically impaired.Knowing she would not even get much help at her home in Apac, due to poor health services, Ms Achen preferred to stay at Anaka Hospital where she is well known and could access some medical help. “My mother is too old to take care of me, and my sisters have all died. I prefer here because my husband has been supportive,” she says.To keep alive, the retired midwife needs the attention and support of a specialist in physiotherapy. However, Amuru District Health Officer (DHO) is worried that doctors to attend to patients like Ms Achen are lacking in the district.Other than people who suffer strokes, the over two decades armed conflict in the region has created unprecedented levels of trauma, but like in the case of Ms Achen, these people need more doctors and physiotherapists.The officer in charge of physiotherapy department at Anaka Hospital, Mr Paul Otit, said last week during the hand over of orthopedic equipment worth Shs25 million that more patients are reporting to the hospital. “We have been receiving 20-30 patients on a monthly basis,” he said.Mr Otit observed that more women in the district were suffering physical impairment compared to men because of the heavy domestic work women are subjected to. “Heavy workload without enough rest, has made many women become victims of impairment,” he explained.Amuru DHO, Dr Patrick Odong Olwedo said:“Medical personnel remains a challenge in the hospital, we urge the Ministry of Health for support.” He said Amuru has only one psychotherapist instead of four, and one doctor instead of six.
from MONITOR ONLINE
All through the peak of insurgency in northern Uganda, Esther Achen, 54, spent two decades in Amuru District, the epicentre of armed conflict, serving as a midwife at Anaka Hospital. Ms Achen, who comes from the neighbouring Lango sub-region in Apac District, persevered and did not quit her job, risking possible abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. Her motivation was to serve fellow displaced persons, the poor and helpless, who did not have any other specialised medical worker to attend to them, or had difficulty accessing a doctor while in the camps.Unfortunately, she suffered a severe stroke in 2001 while at the hospital attending to patients. The stroke paralysed both her limbs, leaving her physically impaired.Knowing she would not even get much help at her home in Apac, due to poor health services, Ms Achen preferred to stay at Anaka Hospital where she is well known and could access some medical help. “My mother is too old to take care of me, and my sisters have all died. I prefer here because my husband has been supportive,” she says.To keep alive, the retired midwife needs the attention and support of a specialist in physiotherapy. However, Amuru District Health Officer (DHO) is worried that doctors to attend to patients like Ms Achen are lacking in the district.Other than people who suffer strokes, the over two decades armed conflict in the region has created unprecedented levels of trauma, but like in the case of Ms Achen, these people need more doctors and physiotherapists.The officer in charge of physiotherapy department at Anaka Hospital, Mr Paul Otit, said last week during the hand over of orthopedic equipment worth Shs25 million that more patients are reporting to the hospital. “We have been receiving 20-30 patients on a monthly basis,” he said.Mr Otit observed that more women in the district were suffering physical impairment compared to men because of the heavy domestic work women are subjected to. “Heavy workload without enough rest, has made many women become victims of impairment,” he explained.Amuru DHO, Dr Patrick Odong Olwedo said:“Medical personnel remains a challenge in the hospital, we urge the Ministry of Health for support.” He said Amuru has only one psychotherapist instead of four, and one doctor instead of six.
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