Via New Vision, a May 7 report: Nodding disease kids resume school. This is encouraging news:
GULU – A total of 37 children out of 330 who suffered the nodding disease in the northern Uganda district of Gulu have resumed studies after registering tremendous improvement.
They received treatment from Aromo Wang Lobo Nodding Syndrome Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Lamola parish, Odek sub-county.
The little-known disease – also known as nodding syndrome – only affects children of mostly between the ages of 5 and 15. It disables a sufferer both mentally and physically.
Michael Chan-kara, the Gulu district drugs inspector, who also doubled as the district coordinator of the nodding syndrome, said most of the children at the centre improved greatly.
He added that five of the victims died.
The facility is being managed by Hope for Humans, a non-governmental organization (NGO).
According to the LC5 chairman of Gulu, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the district resolved that families affected by the nodding syndrome be supported by a number of government programs like NUSAF,Operation Wealth Creations – formerly NAADS – and Restocking program.
Mapenduzi, who doubled as the secretary finance, planning, administration and investment, said families have already been supported with 47 animals under the Restocking program.
Also, the Aromo Wang Lobo treatment centre has been reinforced with five beds and mattresses.
The district leader called on the parish development committee and sub-county leaders to ensure that they place affected families as first-priority beneficiaries of any government and NGO support to enable them become self-reliant and take better care of their children.
On her part, the district secretary of health and education, Rose Amono Abili said the members of the affected families and communities should always be the watchdogs of the affected children to save them from abuse by crime perpetrators who may want to take advantage of their vulnerability.
