The Monitor (Kampala)
September 13, 2003
Posted to the web September 12, 2003
Carolyne Nakazibwe
Kampala
Government is worried about the health conditions in Teso as numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) shot up tenfold in just two weeks.
The Commissioner Health Services Dr Sam Okware said the number of displaced people had gone up from the planned-for 20,000 to 200,000 posing a threat to the existent health services.
He said this at a function where the Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr Alex Kamugisha, was receiving supplies worth Shs 20 million from the WHO Country Representative, Dr Walker Oladapo, at the WHO offices yesterday.
Kamugisha said the ministry could not predict how many more IDPs would come up as the insurgency in the east continues.
For the last two months rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have been fighting in Teso, killing and abducting civilians, while other IDPs are living in over 14 camps in Soroti and Katakwi districts.
The global health body donated anti malaria drugs, antibiotics and oral rehydration salts to the people displaced by the insurgency in the east.
Oladapo also handed over jerry cans, hoes, 100 latrine slabs, pick axes and machetes among other supplies for the IDPs in Teso.
He announced that WHO will next year install communication equipment to provide free Internet services to the ministry and international calls at Shs 200 a minute.
