The ministry of health has refuted media reports that new nodding syndrome cases have been recorded in Northern Uganda. Uganda has not received new cases of the nodding syndrome in Northern region since 2012, according to the ministry.
The minister of health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, while responding to media reports at the ministry headquarters this morning, explained that what these new cases are, is not nodding but epilepsy, autism among others that present slightly similar symptoms.
Dr. Aceng further explained that their data indicates that there are 2083 nodding syndrome patients in the entire region.
806 cases are in Pader, 544 in Kitgum, 339 in Lamwo, 323 in Gulu, 58 in Amuru, and 13 in Arua districts.
Uganda has since 2012 lost 137 children to the syndrome, with the latest case being two weeks ago in Pader district. The victim drowned in a river.
Pader district has also the highest death rate with 81 children reported to have died since 2012, followed by Kitgum with 33 deaths, then Lamwo with 10 deaths, Omoro 9 deaths, and then Amuru with 4 deaths.
Deaths among nodding syndrome victims is caused by severe burns, malnutrition, and drowning, according to the minister.
But, while minister Aceng criticized the media for reporting falsehoods on the new cases, she was quick to accept that district officials especially in Kitgum and Lamwo have misused funds meant for training health workers to deal with the syndrome, and other day to day activities. She however clarifies that the money was not meant to buy medicine as reported in media, as all medication is supplied by National medical stores.
The minister further says the Chief Administrative officers and district chief finance officers will account for the missing funds.
Government disbursed 1.8 Billion shillings to the Northern region to fight the syndrome, but 237 million remains unaccounted for. Government has since approved another 133 million Shillings to send back to these victims.
Nodding syndrome is a severe neurological disorder that manifests as seizures, head nodding, cognitive impairment, and multiple disabilities and affects children between the ages of 3 to 18.
Unlike epilepsy, which has been mistaken for Nodding syndrome, it cannot be inherited.
