🔊 Unregistered herbalists in Katakwi face arrest

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The Katakwi district health officer, Dr Simon Omeke Icumar, has announced a crackdown on all herbalists operating in the district who are not registered with the National Drug Authority (NDA).

Speaking to Etop Radio, Dr Icumar said the unregistered herbalists claim to treat a wide range of ailments, including urinary tract infections, HIV/AIDS, ulcers, diabetes, blood pressure, and even complex diseases such as cancer.

He warned that those not cleared by the NDA will face arrest.

Dr Icumar noted that misinformation from some of these herbalists has negatively affected people living with HIV/AIDS.

Many patients, he said, have abandoned their prescribed treatments after receiving false assurances from herbalists, leading to a drop in their CD4 counts.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS, Kayangi Sarah Natalisire, stated that although some herbal medicines have been approved by the NDA, the public should be cautious.

She cautioned against accepting herbal concoctions carried in jerrycans and cited Jena as one of the certified herbal companies.

Dr Icumar added that the NDA has provided a list of all accredited herbalists and their approved products for public sale.

He said the district plans to display this list across all sub-counties to guide the public.

He advised communities to seek medical assistance from health facilities, where they can be attended to by trained professionals.