By Tolit Ivan
The government through the Ministry of Health in partnership with Sightsaver, a non-governmental organization, on Tuesday launched a UGX7Bn project aimed at eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) including lymphatic filariasis, hydroceles and elephantiasis in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub regions.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 diseases, often caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses, that disproportionately affect people in low-income regions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms.
This comes after Health experts in Northern Uganda are raising concern over widespread misconceptions about elephantiasis, a debilitating disease that has left thousands suffering in silence due to misinformation.
Elephantiasis, medically Known as Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic worms transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes.
The disease leads to severe swelling of the limbs and other body parts making movement very difficult and social stigma.
Rashid Mwesigye, a medical entomologist consultant at Sightsavers Uganda, a non-governmental organization fighting neglected tropical diseases, says most people still believe elephantiasis and hydrocele diseases are caused by witchcraft or stepping on charms.
According to him, for a person to develop complications, they must have at least been beaten about 1,000 times by infected mosquitoes adding that the acute complications usually show up between 7 to 10 years later.
In Lira district, at least 447 cases of elephantiasis and hydrocele cases have been registered in six sub counties with the highest burden recorded in Barr sub county.
However, health workers say the majority patients in such rural areas in district have had advancement in their conditions due to reluctance.
On Tuesday, the organization in its bid to expand its operation in improving the quality of lives of people with advanced lymphatic filariasis launched a new project that will benefit patients and health workers in eight districts of Acholi and two others in Teso Sub region.
The three years’ project worth approximately 7 billion shillings) will be implemented in the districts of Omoro, Gulu, Nwoya, Amuru, Lamwo, Kitgum, Agago and Pader all in Acholi, and Katakwi and Amuria in Teso Sub-region.
Dr Anthony Wani, the Country Director Sightsavers Uganda Country Office explains that the project will targets three key areas of health systems strengthening to handle complications of Lymphatic Filariasis.
Others he says are equipping health facilities to handle diagnosis, assessment and conduct surgeries for Lymphoedema diseases, and disease management and disability inclusion to fight misconception.
Through the project, an estimated 2,000 hydrocele patients are expected to receive surgeries while 2,339 patients will be trained in lymphedema management.
According to reports from the Sightsavers, there are over 2,500 people battling lymphatic filariasis, hydroceles and elephantiasis in Lango and Teso Sub Region.