Government has pledged to continue supporting nodding syndrome victims and affected families in the Acholi Sub-region.
Nodding syndrome was first detected in Uganda in 2019 among children between the age of 5-10.
The disease has affected over 3,000 children who were reportedly diagnosed with a strange illness out of which 137 succumbed by 2017 in the districts of Amuru, Pader, Omoro, and Lamwo according to a 2017 Health Ministry report to legislators.
Parents with children affected by the syndrome were hopeful of their children’s recovery owing to the free specialized medical care they received from two health facilities in Omoro and Kitgum Districts by 2018.
However, the closure of Odek nodding syndrome centre in Odek sub-county and Tumangur in Labongo Akwang sub-county have significantly affected their recovery journey, with parents blaming the government for turning a blind eye on the victims.
Joe Oto, the nodding syndrome focal point person for Labongo Akwang Sub-county alleges that at least 11 nodding syndrome patients have died between 2021 and April this year in his area.
Oto says the main causes have been poor nutrition and medical care for the patients who are mostly being taken by financially stricken parents.
However, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyocwiny says although nodding syndrome patients and their families are facing challenges, government hadn’t turned a blind eye on them.
She noted that the patients and their family members have continued to receive support from the government in form of relief food aid, medicines through medical outreaches, and livelihood support programs.
She promised that the government through its development partners is very committed to helping the victims of nodding syndrome recover while their parents or guardians progress.
