Omoro: Nodding Syndrome centre closed

BENSON ONGOM

Odeke nodding Centre, the biggest centre offering care, treatment and rehabilitation to victims of the nodding syndrome in Omoro district has been closed due to shortage of funds.

The centre has been caring for over 160 children with nodding disease syndrome who have now been handed over to their patents.

These were faced with food crisis and other necessities.

Omoro district Chairman Peter Douglas Okao said the district could not run the centre anymore without government support.

He said: "Where shall we get the money to feed the patients and take care of all other needs? We are stuck."

Okao said the appeal was made to ministry of Health in the 2017/2018 financial year to increase funding for the centre but to date no funds have been released.

"Many sufferers of the Nodding Syndrome are without drugs and recommended care yet their health keeps deteriorating," he said.

Last year, government suspended funding to nodding centres in the region due to lack of accountability.

Omoro district leaders are now calling upon gov’t to speed up with clinical audit into the alleged mismanagement of the funds to ease pressure on medication and treatment.

On average, Shs 40 million is required to keep the centre operational each month.

The rising food prices caused by prolonged drought has according to leaders, made things worse.

But closure of this centre might affect adherence to drugs and reverse some of the gains made against the mysterious disease. The centre was opened in 2012.