Uganda Health News: Health Ministry to sensitise communities on nodding disease

Ultimate Media

The Ministry of Health has developed a comprehensive emergency response plan to tackle the nodding diease that is greatly affecting many districts in northern Uganda.

Over 200 children have died of the disease and 3000 are still struggling with it.

The Minister of Health, Christine Ondoa says the plan that becomes effective next month is expected to provide an integrated response to the disease through research.

Ondoa adds that the ministry has also increased the procurement and distribution of medicine and other supplies to the affected communities.

She says screening and treatment centers are expected to be set up and more staff deployed to handle the affected children.

The disease that is characterized by head nodding, mental retardation and stunted growth was reported in 2009 and over 3 districts in Northern Uganda which include Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader have been affected.