Dr James Daniel Odongo, Apac District Health Officer, said despite all the efforts to trace and investigate the cases, they are affected by limited funds.
Apac District Health Department is hunting for 246 million Shillings to facilitate the response activities against the Mpox disease.
Apac district confirmed the first Mpox case in November this year after a female client from Abutaber village, Chegere Parish in Chegere Sub County, who had visited Apac General Hospital presented symptoms of the virus and later turned out positive.
The surveillance team at the district is still tracing nine more contacts suspected to be having the Mpox according to reports obtained from the district health department.
Dr James Daniel Odongo, Apac District Health Officer, said despite all the efforts to trace and investigate the cases, they are affected by limited funds.
Much as the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the response teams with fuel, Dr Odongo says the district is struggling to facilitate the welfare of the patient admitted at the isolation center, clinical management, as well as the health workers who are supporting case management.
He said the district needs a sum of 246 million shillings according to the district response plan, something he said, they have already submitted to the WHO, the Health Ministry and UNICEF, waiting for their response.
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However, Peter Obong Acuda, Akokoro Sub County LCV Councilor, who doubles as Apac district speaker, appealed for financial and material support from the well-wishers to support the response team so that the disease is completely eradicated from the district.
Sam Opira, the Secretary Health and Education at Apac District Local Government is concerned that most people are relaxed even after the Mpox disease was confirmed in the district.
He appealed for vigilance from the public, urging them to embrace regular hand washing, avoid body contacts and take all preventive measures to control the spread of the virus.
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Mpox, is a disease similar to smallpox caused by a virus. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear.
It was declared in Uganda on July 24, this year by the Ministry of Health. Uganda has so far registered 926 confirmed cases of Mpox and 6 deaths in 56 districts as of December 9, 2024 Situation Update.
Solomon Okabo
Freelancer