Since its inception in 2018, the sub-county which had been claimed by both Kotido and Abim districts has had no single school, or health unit, with only a few water sources sometimes shared with animals.
Since January this year, Juliet Najjuma has been staying at the house despite several calls by the local leaders to vacate and find accommodation outside the hospital.
Prosecution led by the Abim Resident State Attorney, Patrick Angulipa had prayed for a deterrent sentence arguing that there was general laxity by the public to adhere to the SOPs especially wearing of masks, social distancing and washing hands hence exposing lives to the danger of COVID-19 infection.
At least 17 health workers in the district hospital tested positive out of the 79 samples taken last week. another 11 tested positive from Morulem Health Centre III. The 28 are all said to be contacts of a midwife attached to Morulem Health Centre who was admitted to Abim Hospital, while in labour.
The six were all primary contacts of a confirmed COVID -19 case who went into hiding at Awach Health Centre II leading to its closure. They had been quarantined at Abim Hospital on Monday but escaped after only three days, before the return of their samples, to prove their health status.
The Resident District Commissioner, Samuel Hashaka Mpimbaza, says the Covid19 patient has been living in the health center quarters where she would mix freely with the health workers.
Abim District Health Officer Anthony Okengo says that the skin infestation is rampant across all the sub-counties affecting mostly children and elderly persons. He says currently, all health centres are treating the condition.
Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, the Abim Resident District Commissioner and Chairperson of COVID -19 Task-forces, says that since March, the task force has failed to provide beddings to the centre.
Abim Resident District Commissioner, RDC Samuel Hashaka Mpimbaza says the abuse of government vehicles is on the rise in the district. Mpimbaza notes that the removal of the health vehicle has greatly affected service delivery especially on handling emergencies.
Bradford Okori Abura, the hospital administrator in Abim, says that blood samples have been taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute UVRI Entebbe for further testing. He notes that the surveillance team on the ground is investigating circumstances under which the suspected child could have got measles.
Joyce Awili, a patient who was rushed to the Hospital at night for excessive bleeding during pregnancy, says she was dumped outside by a boda-boda rider who feared to enter the dark ward.
The CAO, Moses Kaziba Nandhala accuses the three staff of the hospital for breaching the oath of secrecy by speaking out on the poor condition of the hospital.
State Minister for Karamoja, Janet Museveni says the prolonged dry spell in the region should be an eye opener to the Karimojong, to start planning for their families and livestock to avoid starvation.
Scores of children in Karamoja have been hit by severe acute malnutrition, which is attributed to a failed food harvest in the sub-region. Officials warn if no interventions are done, the situation may get worse.
Statistics availed to Uganda Radio Network, for the sub region from the Gender Ministry outlines death in the last 36 months, indicates that by July 2014 Amudat district had lost 64, Nakapiripirit 306, Napak 199 and Moroto 119 elders since the inception of the programme in September 2011.
Pario however, says they have managed to reduce the prevalence of the disease to between 20 and 30 percent prevalence in most districts in the sub region.
Onyamasi Wekesa, the in-charge of Kakingol Health centre III says the infections are quite serious as several have been diagnosed with the red eyes disease.
