Uganda Adopts a Multi-Sectoral Response to Nodding Syndrome
Kampala, 2nd March 2012 - The Government of Uganda, with support from the World Health Organization and other partners has adopted a multi‐sectoral approach to respond to the Nodding Syndrome that is affecting some districts in the northern part of the country. The Office of the Prime Minister will lead and coordinate the response with aspects such as health handled by the Ministry of Health; nutrition by Ministry of Disaster Preparedness; hygiene and water supply by Minister of Water and Environment; and finance by Ministry of Finance. Other sectors and partners will be indentified and requested to deal with situation and conditions within their mandate and areas of competence.
The Nodding Syndrome that started in 2009 in Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader districts has so affected over 3,000 children aged between 5 and 15 years with 170 deaths. Most of the affected children are males and live in areas where Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) is prevalent