Gulu launches Malaria week as RDC calls for concentration on preventive measures.

Gulu district has declared and launched this week as malaria week in an effort to fight the epidemic in the region as cases reach 15,000 per week and 80% of out-patients are diagnosed with the parasite.

The District Health educator while in an interview with our reporter revealed that the campaign against malaria begins today 23^rd May till the 30^th May with door to door outreaches by the health teams and political leaders.

The village Health Teams will move door to door testing and treating patients found with the parasite while the political and district health teams will have community dialogues to find out why the fight against malaria has not been successful yet there have been a number of interventions and sensitization both at district and community levels.

He adds that the dialogue is also intended to engage and find out what the communities are doing to prevent malaria.

Dr Vinansio Okello, the Omoro Health sub district educator say that the campaign is to take place in 6 sub counties which have the heaviest malaria burden and the activities that also include bllod donations for malaria patients who need transfusion begins in Unyama on Tuesday, Lalogi on Wednesday, Paicho on Thursday, Bobi on Friday, Bungatira on Saturday and Ongako on Sunday.

He says the camping will be done at parish levels at the Health Centre IIs and areas without such facilities like Parwec and Jaka parishes in Lalogi Sub County will have a special designated place for them.

Gulu RDC, Capt Okot Santo Lapolo who is the chairman of the Malaria task force has said the 10^th council that was sworn in today need to embrace the campaign by continually sensitizing the people on preventive measures rather than using drugs which is costly in terms of money and time wasted while sick and the productive people who die due to malaria.

Lapolo says that it is very painful for the district to lose 170 people who died due to malaria from April 2015 to date with 3 deaths per week.

He appreciated the implementing development partners like AVSI, OBULAMU, UNICEF and AMREF among others for supporting the campaign by providing the drugs and insecticide treated nets and appealed to the entire Northern Region to use the prevent measures other than concentrating on medicines.

“With support of the people, the epidemic will end but we should concentrate on the preventive measures that consume less resource.” The RDC appealed to the community in Northern Uganda as AVSI helps with the supply of drugs to the VHTs.

Malaria epidemic is eating up Gulu district again amidst anti malarial shortages.

Gulu district malaria epidemic has seen a sharp increase in the rate of new malaria infections in the last two weeks from 13,204 to 15,213 per week draining the medical facilities of the supplies they receive from National Medical Stores after every two months.

According to Dr Vinansio Okello, the district Health Educator for Omoro Health Sub district  Educator, the cause of a major increase in the malaria parasites causing an upsurge in the rate of new infections is still uncertain and this has forced the district to request for more supplies from the National Medical Stores to manage the current epidemic.

Dr. Okello says that out of every 100 people who report to the outpatient department in the various health facilities, about 80 are diagnosed with malaria.

He adds that the current trend of malaria is not only affecting the once considered as most vulnerable pregnant mothers and children but the margin has narrowed and all are getting urgent special treatment at the health facilities.

Dr Okello says that though the Village Health Teams are no longer being given anti malarial to administer to patient within their reach, some health centers still have the drugs and advised those who experience any signs and symptoms of malaria to rush to medicals facilities that have trained personnel to treat them before it is too late and expensive to treat the parasites.

He warned the community against neglecting malaria patients and delaying with them at home saying malaria is now one of the killer diseases in the region after Hepatitis B and people need to take it seriously to avoid and prevent deaths.

The Omoro Sub district Health educator also says that malaria is the lead cause f miscourages in pregnant mothers in their first trimester and children under the age of five due to drug abuse when patients do not finish or adhere to prescribed treatment and the parasites get used to the first treatment making it more difficult and expensive to treat and in some instances leading to death.

The RDC Gulu, CaptOkot Santo Lapolo, says three deaths are recorded every week and from April to date, about 170 people have lost their lives to malaria.

Lapolo appealed to the entire northern Uganda to embrace preventive measures that are less costly in terms of time and money other than concentrating on drugs to fight the malaria epidemic that is not only in Gulu district but the entire Northern Region.

“I no longer want to be Gulu District Speaker,” says Okello Douglas Peter

Gulu District Outgoing Speaker Okello Douglas Peter who doubles as the councilor five elect for Lalogi sub county has called upon those entering the 10^th Council today to deliberate for the good of the people who entrusted them and elected them into power and learn more from others during their time in council as they prepare to take on other responsibilities in council.

While in an interview with our reporter from his office in Gulu town, the outgoing speaker said that there are district councilors who have been trained and have the potential to become speakers but he is not mandated to declare them to the public the names of those interested in the post.

Okello says that he is no longer contesting for the position of Gulu district speaker because he wants to concentrate on representing the people of Lalogi in the tenth council.

He adds that during his tenure as the speaker, he did not ably represent the interest if the people of Lalogi because the office of the speaker is supposed to be impartial and work with all parties for the interest of the whole district.

Okello noted that during his five year term as the speaker, a number of things proved a challenge to the district especially environmental conservation which is still an issue that needs collective efforts to combat with replanting of trees in areas where they have been massively cut down for charcoal and timber business.

He says despite setting the education review ordinance by the district, performance in primary, secondary and those joining Tertiary Institutions is still wanting.

He believes that the next person in the office of the speaker has to be critically elected to propel the district council to do betterbecause the office of the speaker needs reading and an understanding of the laws of the country to be able to handle issues in the council objectively.

Among the people who have expressed interest for the position of Gulu district speaker are: Okwonga John,FDC Councilor representing Unyama, Opiyo Christopher Ateker NRM councilor representing Awach and Amony Francesca DP councilor representing Pece Division.

Gulu District receives supplementary supply of Hepatitis B test strips.

Gulu district has received the test strips for Hepatitis B virus that had gotten finished after National Medical Stores in march this year supplied more vaccines that was not proportionate to the test stripes and people were made to but the test stripes from pharmacies at between 4000/= and 5,000/= though the vaccines remained free of charge.

Gulu District distributed 200,000 Hepatitis B vaccines that were delivered in March this year by the National Medical Stores from the Ministry of Health in a bid to cub the upsurge of the virus in the region.

According to Celestino Ojok, the district Health educator, the test stripes that were supplied to the district are adequate to last serve the population though he declined to divulge the number supplied.

“The test stripes are adequate and we are sure the supply can take us for some time. So people can now go to the nearest health facilities to test for Hepatitis B and get treatment at no cost again,” Said the district health educator.

About 21 health facilities of Health Centre IIIs, IVs and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor are offering the vaccination and treatment as directed by the health ministry because they have the laboratories that can handle the work.

In Gulu Municipality, Aywer Health Centre III, Bardege Health Centre III, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital Lacor and the Military health facilities have the vaccines available for the general public to access while those outside the municipality go to the various Health Centre III, IV and hospitals nearest to them at sub county levels.

The DHO Gulu, Dr Ongom Robert says that the health facilities were selected because they have the testing kits needed for simple Laboratory tests on clients before the Vaccine is administered.

One needs to be vaccinated three times after testing, but children are excluded because their treatment is already incorporated into the routine DPT3 vaccine given at birth in the thigh that was introduced in 2002.

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by Hepatitis B Virus. The Virus is found in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person.

” We shall prosecute those who sabotage government programme,” says Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator.

Twelve sub counties in Gulu district received another batch of 35,000 citrus seedlings through the Operation Wealth Creation Programme that is currently being handled by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces who replaced the district NAADS coordinators nationwide.

The citrus seedlings were supplied by a company called Elosmos Agri Service Limited.

According to Major Benny Odong, the Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator for Omoro County, follow ups will be made through the local leaders in the areas where the seedlings were supplied to ensure that government resources are not wasted by un serious people.

He adds that much as people are cooperating and planting the seedlings that they get, those who shall be got keeping the seedlings to dry without planting shall be arrested and prosecuted for sabotaging government progeammes.

Major Odong says upon inspection, only 1,000 seedlings were given for Gulu Municipal Council because there are smaller gardens within that do not need many seedlings.

Other sub counties received 2,833 Citrus seedlings each. They are: Aswa, Omoro, Lakwana, Tochi, Awach, Paicho, Palaro, Bungatira, Unyama, Lalogi, Odek, Patiko, Koro, Bobi and Ongako.

“It’s not just a matter of naming a road, Okeny Vitafaom,” says Mapenduzi

Gulu district Council has proposed to do a number of activities to commemorate the late Okeny B’tek Justine for his massive contribution in the business sector by providing jobs and mentor ship to young entrepreneurs in the country.

During the last sitting of the 9^th Council at the district council hall, councilors proposed that the Late Okeny alias Vitafoam, a company he founded in 1974 be remember by naming roads, organizing public lectures and re-branding institutions in his memory.

Hon Komakech Goffrey, the councilor representing Patiko also suggested that the late should be discussed at the Acholi Forum that brings together leaders from the six districts of Acholi sub region so that his legacy remains in the minds and heart of the Acholi people to encourage them to work hard also leave a name for their good contribution to society when they die.

Hon Okwonga Alfred said the Late Okeny was a multi tasking business man who did fisheries, worked in the military as a police officer and joined or owned several parastetals and ventures.

He therefore proposed that a public lecture should be organized in memory of the Late Okeny so that his journey in Business can also inspire the youth who want to also venture into business as they get to know more about the late.

Grace Amomo Abili, the woman councilor representing Bungatira said the late was a local investor who will be remembered for his practical method of work and the fatherly advice that he always offered to the business community.

Meanwhile Hon Oyat Chagga felt concerned about the property and businesses of the deceased and urged the children and grand children of the deceased to manage the businesses and property that their father left behind and not to scramble for them.

Oyat Chagga added that most times prominent business people die with their businesses because of poor management after their death.

He says business is how you relate with people to make it stand.

“Let us stop being selfish and learn from one another.” Said Chagga.

Ojara Martin Mapenduzi thanked the late for investing wisely in educating his children, clan and those who came to him and urged parents to emulate such good examples for the late so that the entire Acholi land can have children who have good education and can lead in entrepreneurship and other developments in the land and promised to work with the mayor to have a significant raod named after him.

“It is rare to find people who can sacrifice his resources, time and life for not only his family but for others.I will work with the mayor to name one strategic road that is usable and admirable in his name. It is not just a matter of naming any raod.” Said Mapenduzi, the re elected Gulu district LCV chairman.

He appealed to the business community to stop fighting and pulling each other down but rather unite to tap into the available market in the neighboring districts and countries like south Sudan and also have joint ventures like the Late Okeny had with a colleague to make Vitafoam a successful business.

“Selfishness and greed is consuming our business community. And please, don’t concentrate on petty issues, work together and we can develop our land better. Emulate the late through joint ventures so that some of the struggling businesses do not die,” Mapenduzi advised the business community.

Mapenduzi finally challenged the Deceased children gathered with other mourners at the district council hall, “How will the world know you  as his children since it know Okeny as the owner of Vitafoam? This name will remain for decades but think about yourselves at individual levels on what you have or will contribute to society not to shame your father who is now resting before us here.”

Agwee Woman Sentenced to Community service at Gulu Referral Hospital.

Gulu Grade One magistrate Biwaga Celsie has today sentenced a 19 year old woman from Agwee parish in Laroo division Gulu Municipality to 30 days community service for assault.

Awinyu Eunice was sentenced to 30 days community service at Gulu Regional Referral hospital as a public place where she could learn and reform from.

Court heard that Awinyu assaulted Abuu Grace on 26th April 2016 from Agwee causing her grievous bodily harm.

Awinyu’s act contravenes article 229 of the penal code Act.
Grade One Magistrate, Biwaga warned the convict not to abscond from the community service because if she does, she will be sentenced to one year in jail instead.

Community service was introduced in the Uganda Judiciary to solve minor offences to avoid case back log and overcrowding in the prison cell.

Aswa PRO warns of illegal guns in the community.

Patrick Jimmy Okema the Police Spokesperson for ASWA region has cautioned the community to be vigilant and report suspicious people in their midst due to the continuous usage of guns especially on business persons.

Patrick Jimmy Okema while addressing the press in Gulu town yesterday said the police have noted with concern that there are illegal guns still in the community that are in the hands of those who intend to use them for the wrong motives.

Okema told press that five men have already been arrested and sent to Police Special Investigation Department in Kireka police post for more investigation into their case since they were on the list of the most notorious gangs’ hard core criminals that the police have been looking for in the region.

This comes after police lost two guns from Elegu Police Barrackst on the 25th last month but were recovered from a swamp along Adjumani road on the 1st of this month.
The suspects include, Okwonga Jackson alias Steel, Omoya Wilfred, Bukenya Charles, Ongom Rashid and Komakech Danis Otto.

Okema added that Steel and his group were transferred from Gulu to Kireka for further investigations since they have detailed clue into the theft of guns and it is not the first time they are being arrested by the police for criminal acts.

Meanwhile Okema says that the death of the 30 year old SACCO treasure from Padibe last week where unknown gun men shot her dead with intention to rob the group’s 11 million shillings that was supposed to be distributed the following day confirms that there are still illegal guns in the community.

Okema says they are still calling upon the members of the community to help the police to weed out the illegal guns from the community by reporting those who have or are suspected to have illegal guns in their custody.

“There is no witch craft in Business,” Pece chairman tells traders.

The Chairman LC III elect Pece division, Kelly Komakech has advised the Acholi people to rent out their land instead of keeping the land idle and underutilized so that they become competitive and market their products especially in South Sudan since the country is relatively peaceful at the moment and there is high demand for food items that come from the farmers.

Kelly Komakech while talking to our reporter from Gulu town today said that they Acholi people have to realize that time is out to keep crying that we are poor yet we have the most fertile land in the whole country but have failed to make proper use of them to become rich.

He says he is a living example of a poor farmer who has now reformed since he planted about a hundred acres of cassava expecting to reap big form it but he was disappointed because that was not what was on demand at the time he sold it.

Komakech advised farmers to do market research depending on the season first before investing their time and money into any commercial agricultural activity to avoid losses.

He adds that there is no witch craft in business as some people claim but it depends on how skillful one is in meeting the forces of demand and supply to stay in the business.

He further says that Acholi people need more exposure and skills to tap into the available market in South Sudan and this is possible with dedication to using the land that is an available resource to most Acholi people as a starting point instead of crying that they are poor and there are no jobs especially for the you who still have energy for agriculture.

US Ambassador Commissions renovated Multi Drug Resistant TB ward in Gulu.

By
Abalo Irene Otto
Gulu

The US Ambassador to Uganda, Deborah. R. Malac has today commissioned the renovated Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB ) ward at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital that cost about 250 million Shillings to renovate under the USAID/ SUSTAIN project that started in 2013 but is due to end by August this year.

According to the Global Tuberculosis report 2014, Uganda is one of the seven out of 22 countries that met the entire millennium development target for TB.

The ministry of health however noted that there is a significant challenges including the emergence of drug resistant TB(DR TB), a very high TB/ HIV co-infection rate and the need for improved access to TB diagnostic facilities in the public health facilities such as the Gene Xpert Machines.

Ambassador Malac acknowledged the challenge that the Uganda government and the world over still faces in the fight against the TB epidemic.

She adds that treating a single patient of MDR TB is 100 times more expensive than susceptible cases but encouraged everyone to spread the news about the existence of the MDR TB facility and competent staff at the facility to handle cases because the disease is curable and it is possible to have a Uganda free of TB.

D. Nathan Onyaci, the Director Gulu Regional Referral Hospital appreciated the US government for caring about the health of Ugandans and pledged to work together with his team at the facility to help in curing the patients.

Sharon Amony 36, and a mother of seven testifies as one among MDR TB patients who has cure though she had three cases of MDR TB, HIV, and pregnancy but she now has a baby girl and is living a normal life again after completing her dosage and treatment form Gulu Regional Referral Hospital when she was declared cured of the disease after Sputum monitoring.

Since 2013, when Gulu Regional Referral Hospital started TB in patient building, 45 have been enrolled but among those, 20 have been cured, 17 are still on treatment while 9 passed on.

According to Dr Onyaci, Sharon is a testimony that MDR-TB is curable and urged the medics to continue with daily directly observed treatment of patients at the facility and handle referrals to end the epidemic not only in the region but the world over since TB is a communicable disease transferred from one person to another.

USAID/ SUSTAIN project collaborates with the Ministry of Health to support seven regional referral hospitals in the country and healthcare facilities for TB and MDR-TB services in Gulu, Arua, Lira, Mubende, Mbale, Moroto , Soroti, Hoima, Jinja Kawolo, Masaka, Kabale, and Fort Portal regional Referral Hospitals.

Support is provided through staff capacity building, mentoring, and coaching and on-site supervision for enhanced performance.