By Francis Jjunju
6th March 2024
The Ministry of Health together with health funding agencies have partnered with the Catholic Church to sensitize the public on the best preventive measures in the fight against high disease burden in the country.
During a special meeting with the Management of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat at Nsambya, the Ministry of Health Senior Advocacy Officer John Ekapu cited out Malaria being one of the most leading killer diseases in the country with at least 15 people dying every day.
According to him, a high malaria burden is being recorded in the areas of West Nile, Busoga and Karamoja regions.
He further noted Tuberculosis (TB) as another terrible disease that claims at least 30 Ugandans on a daily basis not forgetting HIV/AIDs which is still a big problem in the country.
Ekapu says a multi-sectoral approach is the best way to mitigate the disease burden with all key stakeholders involved like the Catholic Church which has the most streamlined structure right from the family, small basic Christian community, sub parish and parish level where priests, catechists, the religious and lay faith leaders who can help in channeling the health information to the communities.
The Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Msgr. John Baptist Kauta embraced the initiative which he referred to as the “Synod on Synodality” where the Catholic Church invites working relationships with all the stakeholders to protect the lives of God’s people.
Dr. Sam Orach, the Executive Secretary of the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB) said the Catholic Church in Uganda is ready to use its 305 health facilities which comprise of 33 hospitals, 16 Health Centre fours, 197 Health Center threes among others with at least 10200 health workers to ensure public health is promoted and lives are saved.
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