Parliamentary Candidates in Omoro District have focused their campaigns
on addressing the plights of children with Nodding Syndrome in the area.
Many cases of nodding disease have been reported in Odek Sub
County. According to records, there are more than 200 children affected by the
disease.
The candidates have pledged to lobby support from the government
for the re-opening of the Nodding Disease Treatment Centre in the area after it
was closed for a year over lack of funds.
Eng. Terence Odonga of Forum for Democratic Change for Omoro County
Parliamentary Seat says the inadequate funding and support to the victims demonstrates
lack of good political will.
He noted that the Rehabilitation Centre needs to be opened to
provide care and treatment of the children with the disease to save them from
the mysterious conditions and deaths.
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Betty Laika, an Independent Candidate for Omoro District Woman Parliamentary seat
has equally pledged to rally support from the development partners for the
Centre.
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Catherine Lamwaka, the incumbent Woman Member of Parliament Omoro
District says that she will lobby the government for support for reopening of
the Centre.
However, the State Minister for Primary Health Care Dr Joyce Moriko Kaduchu had
ruled out any possibility of reopening the centre until the Development partner
hands over the facility.
The Omoro District Secretary for Health and Education Caroline Nyakorach,
however, says that the Development Partners have handed over the facility to
the District.
“We have informed the central government about the appealing
conditions of these children but the delay now is worrying that we have
continued to lose some of these children” Nyakorach explained.
Jacob Okello, the Chairman LCIII for Odek Sub County has appealed
to the leaders in the District to prioritize support for the families with
children battling with the disease.
Okello revealed that 6 of the children with the disease in the two
parishes of Lamola and Palaro died last year with the recent incident in late
December while others remained in appalling conditions.
However, with 6,000 eligible voters in the Sub County, the
different Parliamentary Candidates have focused attention in the area as the Country
goes for elections on the 14th January this year.
Jacob Oulanya, the incumbent and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament will contest
four candidates who include, Eng. Terence Odonga of FDC, Olala Andrew Obong,
Independent, Abok Secondo Okot, NUP and Julius Okello of the Alliance for National
Transformation-ANT.
Lamwaka will battle it out with Prosy Alanyo Owiny of FDC, Lanyero
Pamela and Independent candidate, Ambassador Betty Akeck Okulu, Independent,
Betty Kilama, DP, Sophie Akera, Independent and Betty Laika, also Independent
Candidate.
Simon Wokorach
Freelancer