By Richard Onapatum
NAKAPIRIPIT, UGANDA – In a symbolic gesture of patrioti sm and national unity, RDC Nakapiripirit George Owanyi presented a portrait of President Yoweri Museveni to Heritage 92.6 FM Nakapiripirit, a popular radio station in Southern Karamoja.
However, the main concern in Nakapiripirit and neighboring districts, Amudat and Nabilatuk, is the suspected measles outbreak. In Nakapiripirit alone, 15 cases of infants with clinical symptoms of measles have been reported, and samples have been sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute for further investigation.
Addressing the public through Heritage FM, the District Health Officer (DHO) urged the community to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facilities. “We urge the public to be vigilant and report any cases of measles to the health facilities. We have set up a system to handle the outbreak, and we are working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” the DHO said.
The RDC also emphasized the need for health workers to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, ensuring that grass is trimmed and washrooms are regularly cleaned. “We expect our health workers to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. We will not tolerate any laxity in this regard,” RDC Owanyi said.
The public was also informed about the availability of free ambulance services, including fuel, to support the referral system for patients in hard-to-reach areas. “We want to assure the public that we have put in place measures to ensure that patients in need of medical attention are able to access it promptly. Our ambulances are available 24/7, and we will not charge any fees for transportation,” the DHO said.
The RDC also called on the public to report any cases of extortion by health workers. “We want to assure the public that we will not tolerate any corruption or extortion by health workers. If you are asked to pay for services that are supposed to be free, please report it to us immediately,” RDC Owanyi said.
These efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and promoting transparency and accountability in the district.
