Kadaga launches campaign against jiggers
THE Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has launched a campaign to eradicate jiggers in Busoga.
By Milton Olupot and Eddie Sejjoba
THE Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has launched a campaign to eradicate jiggers in Busoga.
Kadaga said she was partnering with a local non-governmental organisation that she did not name, to distribute drugs and sensitise the locals on how to overcome the infestation.
She was speaking on Tuesday after opening a two-day conference for regional parliamentary health committees in East and Southern Africa at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“I am going to do this within 10 days and I will be there myself,†Kadaga said. Her action follows reports of 11 people have died of jiggers in Bugiri district since the beginning of the year. She said the campaign would start next week.
Kadaga vowed to effect the campaign through promoting hygiene and sanitation in homes.
“Jiggers come as a result of poor sanitation. I want to start sensitising people not only on how to kill jiggers, but also on how to clean their homes. They must stop sleeping together with animals in the same houses,†she said.
Health state minister in charge general duties Dr. Richard Nduhuura said the easiest solution to the problem is to promote health and sanitation practices in the affected communities.
Jiggers have reportedly affected all the nine districts of Busoga, affecting pupils’ performance at school and the adults economic output.
The affected districts are Jinja, Bugiri, Iganga, Kaliro, Kamuli, Mayuge, Luuka, Namutumba, and Buyende.
The blood-sucking fleas enter toe and finger nails, where they grow to a round sac, the size of a pea. Pigs and poultry carry fleas from which Jiggers grow. Other carriers are dogs, cats, rats, cattle and sheep.
The primary health care state minister, James Kakooza, said the parasites had led to a number of deaths in the affected areas.
“The infection leads to severe inflammation, ulceration and fibrosis. It can also cause lymphangitis, gangrene, sepsis, and the loss of toenails,†he said.
Kakooza urged leaders from the region to join him in the sensitisation programmes, especially in clearing misconceptions about the causes of jiggers.
“Some people believe they are as a result of witchcraft and bad omen, making many seek treatment from traditional healers instead of professional health care providers,†he noted.
THE Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has launched a campaign to eradicate jiggers in Busoga.
Kadaga said she was partnering with a local non-governmental organisation that she did not name, to distribute drugs and sensitise the locals on how to overcome the infestation.
She was speaking on Tuesday after opening a two-day conference for regional parliamentary health committees in East and Southern Africa at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“I am going to do this within 10 days and I will be there myself,†Kadaga said. Her action follows reports of 11 people have died of jiggers in Bugiri district since the beginning of the year. She said the campaign would start next week.
Kadaga vowed to effect the campaign through promoting hygiene and sanitation in homes.
“Jiggers come as a result of poor sanitation. I want to start sensitising people not only on how to kill jiggers, but also on how to clean their homes. They must stop sleeping together with animals in the same houses,†she said.
Health state minister in charge general duties Dr. Richard Nduhuura said the easiest solution to the problem is to promote health and sanitation practices in the affected communities.
Jiggers have reportedly affected all the nine districts of Busoga, affecting pupils’ performance at school and the adults economic output.
The affected districts are Jinja, Bugiri, Iganga, Kaliro, Kamuli, Mayuge, Luuka, Namutumba, and Buyende.
The blood-sucking fleas enter toe and finger nails, where they grow to a round sac, the size of a pea. Pigs and poultry carry fleas from which Jiggers grow. Other carriers are dogs, cats, rats, cattle and sheep.
The primary health care state minister, James Kakooza, said the parasites had led to a number of deaths in the affected areas.
“The infection leads to severe inflammation, ulceration and fibrosis. It can also cause lymphangitis, gangrene, sepsis, and the loss of toenails,†he said.
Kakooza urged leaders from the region to join him in the sensitisation programmes, especially in clearing misconceptions about the causes of jiggers.
“Some people believe they are as a result of witchcraft and bad omen, making many seek treatment from traditional healers instead of professional health care providers,†he noted.