Free hepatitis B testing attracts hundreds in Pallisa

PIC: Pallisa residents wait in a tent for their turn to get tested

Residents of Pallisa town council have flocked St. Peters Medical Centre, a new health facility, that is providing them with free hepatitis B counselling and testing.

Michael Okoyo Otim, a resident of Odwarat village in westward, Pallisa town said it was great opportunity for them to get hepatitis B, testing which they have been longing for.

Okoyo lashed out at Pallisa leaders for not following up on the issue of hepatitis B in the health ministry, even though a number of people have died because of the illness.

Richard Oseku, the MP for Kibale county, said it was wrong for the community to blame leaders because they are following up on the issue with the ministry of health.

Oseku said all people are going to get free vaccination and those found positive will be put on proper management medication.

"Ruhaama county MP Beijukye William Zinkuratire recently died of hepatitis B. Parliament pronounced itself on the mass vaccination of all Ugandans", Oseku said.

Jorem Eryamu, the LC1 chairperson of Kalaki village, where St. Peters medical centre is situated, said people did not take their children to school so they could  get the free services.

Umar Mukaire, the medical centre in-charge, said in the three days they have been operating, they have so far had 2,000 people come for testing.

"The testing kits are not in government health facilities and even some private clinics charge between sh10,000 and 15,000 which a poor person cannot afford. This is why they are flocking the health centre," Mukaire said.