Health sends cholera drugs to Kibaale
May 29, 2008
THE Ministry of Health has dispatched drugs and equipment to the cholera-hit fishing villages on the shores of Lake Albert in Kibaale district.
By Anthony Bugembe and Ismael Kasooha
THE Ministry of Health has dispatched drugs and equipment to the cholera-hit fishing villages on the shores of Lake Albert in Kibaale district.
“We have also sent a filming van, in addition to setting up community treatment centres in collaboration with medical officials in the district.
“We hope this will help contain the outbreak,†Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health, told The New Vision.
He added that the people were being sensitised on how to avoid contracting the disease and encouraged to take oral rehydration salts.
Sporadic cases of cholera have been reported in Kibaale for the last six months. The current outbreak, which health authorities categorised as the ogawa sub-type, was first reported two weeks ago.
According to Martin Muhiire, the coordinator of the community health department at Kagadi Hospital, six people died in the recent outbreak.
Okware attributed the intermittent cholera cases in the villages to poor sanitation.
“Most of the affected areas lack pit latrines because it is hard to construct them on the shores.
“The free movement of fishermen from Congo worsens the sanitary situation,†he said in a telephone interview on Monday.
By Monday evening, the number of cases had risen from 69 to 82.
Muhiire cited improper care of the infected and poor hygiene for the rise in cases. He appealed to residents to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility for quick response.
The last cholera oubreak in western region in October 2006, killed more than 1,500 residents.
THE Ministry of Health has dispatched drugs and equipment to the cholera-hit fishing villages on the shores of Lake Albert in Kibaale district.
“We have also sent a filming van, in addition to setting up community treatment centres in collaboration with medical officials in the district.
“We hope this will help contain the outbreak,†Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health, told The New Vision.
He added that the people were being sensitised on how to avoid contracting the disease and encouraged to take oral rehydration salts.
Sporadic cases of cholera have been reported in Kibaale for the last six months. The current outbreak, which health authorities categorised as the ogawa sub-type, was first reported two weeks ago.
According to Martin Muhiire, the coordinator of the community health department at Kagadi Hospital, six people died in the recent outbreak.
Okware attributed the intermittent cholera cases in the villages to poor sanitation.
“Most of the affected areas lack pit latrines because it is hard to construct them on the shores.
“The free movement of fishermen from Congo worsens the sanitary situation,†he said in a telephone interview on Monday.
By Monday evening, the number of cases had risen from 69 to 82.
Muhiire cited improper care of the infected and poor hygiene for the rise in cases. He appealed to residents to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility for quick response.
The last cholera oubreak in western region in October 2006, killed more than 1,500 residents.