In a bid to eliminate the transmission of river blindness in the country, the World Health Organization is reminding the Ugandan government to invest much in research to see that the disease, among other neglected tropical diseases, is fully and effectively combated.

Speaking at the 8th river blindness strategic committee meeting in Kampala today, Dr. Miriam Nanyunja said gathering better and up to date information on such neglected diseases will facilitate faster treatment and thus eradication from the affected areas. She also noted that countries with such neglected diseases should greatly focus on treating victims if the numbers of patients and new victims are to reduce. She warned on checking of cross border movements of persons who always move along with these diseases to countries that are struggling to eradicate them.

Meanwhile, the Director General Health Service in the Health Ministry, Dr. Ruth Acheng confirms that government is fully committed to seeing that river blindness is completely kicked out of the country and is now building task forces to handle neglected diseases at district level with river blindness being one of them.

Currently the country has over 1 million citizens living with the disease that is common in Kasese, Nwoya, Lamwo, Mayuge, Gulu, Pader, Iganga, Kamuli and many others.