Dr Chris Baryomunsi

The Ministry of health has received transport equipment to help in elimination of neglected tropical diseases in the country. The state Minister for health in charge of general duties, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, made the announcement during a function where his ministry received a donation of 16 motorcycles and 7 vehicles worth 1 billion shillings from donors including RTI international, sight savers and Queen Elizabeth diamond jubilee among others.

The minister said that tropical neglected diseases are still a challenge in Uganda especially in poor communities and Government has a duty to ensure that Ugandans are free of the diseases by 2020. Baryomunsi said that mosquito nets can also prevent tropical neglected diseases such as elephantiasis, hydroceles and river blindness, so people, especially from poor communities, should not misuse them for other purposes.

The donation will specifically help the Neglected tropical diseases program under the Ministry of health to eliminate trachoma in Karamoja and Busoga region. The country Director Sight savers Uganda, Dr. Johnson Ngorok, said that sight savers will continue supporting government to restore sight among affected Ugandans.

The neglected tropical diseases include River blindness, Trachoma, Elephantiasis, Bilharzia, intestinal worms among others.