200 Medics Flee Work

By Charles Opolot OVER 200 medical personnel in Gulu district have fled rural health units in fear of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel attacks.Gulu district director of health services Dr. Paul Onek , while briefing the Minister of Health, Jim Muhwezi, yesterday said the rebel influx into the district had adversely affected health service delivery. Onek said out of 31 rural centres, only 15 were partially functioning. The rest have their medical workers living in Gulu town.He said as a result, 105 people died in Anaka, Pabo and Awer sub-counties due lack of medical attention in June alone. The LC5 chief, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora, said LRA mainly targeted health facilities.“We have over 400,000 people in camps, the insecurity has caused a lot of suffering. We are appealing to anybody of goodwill to come to our rescue,” Ochora said. Muhwezi, accompanied by WHO country representative, Oladapo Walker, said an emergency fund to pay for crucial facilities had been set up.Ends