Tanzanian authorities reported the outbreak on January 10, 2024. So far, the virus has claimed lives of eight people and several others are admitted with contacts including health workers under strict monitoring.
The project is supported by the Italian government through the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Project II (KIDP II). Works are expected to be completed in eighteen months.
Nabilatuk district alone has 111 accumulative cases registered between August 2024 and to date with most of them recovering while at least two succumbed to the disease. While Amudat confirmed 10 cases positive and Nakapiripirit 15 cases of infants with clinical symptoms.
Kawaala, Bwaise and Nabweru currently have the highest number in Kampala Metropolitan area and the doctor explains that even among sex workers, they are establishing that infections are highest among those transacting from low –end neighborhoods of Kampala.
Turahi highlighted that Isingiro, with a population of 653,844 residents and 230,000 refugees, is served by 62 health centers. He explained that the district’s only Health Center IV, Rwekubo, handles a significant number of patients, receiving 2,949 expectant mothers annually, 246 per month, and 956 patients daily at its outpatient department, thus necessitating an upgrade to a District Hospital.
Senior Administrator Thomas Ojok revealed that the modern digital X-ray machine, provided by the Ministry of Health, stopped working almost a year ago. Despite the hospital’s efforts to communicate the issue to the Ministry, both in writing and through physical visits, there has been no response or solution provided.
Dr. Adoke Yeka researcher who has studied antimalarial treatment and chemopreventive efficacy says apart from its toxicity, DDT which was previously used when conducting indoor residual spraying is no longer effective and cannot kill mosquitoes anymore.
Dr Jimmy Opigo who heads the Malaria Control Programme and he confirmed that the facility was indeed selling the drug but added they are selling a different type code named RTS, S. Asked whether this won’t interfere with the government’s free jabs arrangement, he said Kampala where Norvik’s clients are is not one of the areas where the free vaccines will be deployed.
Figures by the Ministry of Health show that at least 1.6million children have received a measles vaccine in the country. But, Dr Michael Baganizi the UNEPI manager says majority of the mothers are not taking their children back for the second dose given to babies at eighteen months of age.
Bishop Kisekka said that the healthcare crisis in the district requires collective responsibility to ensure that every citizen has access to quality medical services.
Gerald Pande, a Programme Officer for STI Key Population Programming with the Ministry of Health, revealed that the HIV prevalence among sex workers in Mbarara is 54%, substantially higher than the national average of 33% and far exceeding the general population prevalence of 5.1%.
Dr. Bruno Oyik, the Medical Superintendent of Luwero Hospital, emphasized that the equipment supporting premature babies must run continuously, but the persistent power outages make this impossible, threatening the infants' lives.
The ministry of health spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainebyoona says Kasese is among the districts who are still performing below the recommendable immunization target of 95%.
Speaking at the opening of the Africa Special Convention on Diagnostics on Tuesday, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine emphasized the importance of cooperation over competition among African nations to ensure they are better prepared for future outbreaks.
Dr Hafisa Lukwata who heads the Mental Health Division says this initiative comes in handy at the time when mental health related issues are on an increase countrywide and yet in-service nurses at such lower health facilities have not received training on dealing with mental health cases.
The Luwero district community health insurance ordinance aims at enhancing access to equitable, affordable and quality health services for all people in the district.
It also seeks to reduce the out pocket expenditure on health services by residents and regulate health insurance schemes in the district.
The donation which is estimated to cost one billion shillings ($265,000) was delivered at the Ministry of Health on Friday and comes at a time when the country has recorded one mpox death and an increasing number of confirmed cases of the disease that has since been declared a public health emergency of international concern.
Rwenzori East Police Spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, confirmed that the suspect has been transferred to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in Kampala for legal proceedings.
Speaking to URN in an interview Dr Charles Olaro, the Director of Health in charge of Curative services in the ministry says if well utilised, self-care will help prevent disease and solve the challenge of crowding in health facilities as they already know that 70 percent of diseases handled in hospitals today are preventable.
