BY: DOREEN NASASIRA
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has called for sensitization of farmers in Kamwenga District and their families on how they can take care of their feet and prevent podoconiosis.
The Premier made the call during a visit she undertook on Saturday to Kamwenge District to assess the prevalence of Podoconiosis disease in the area.
Podoconiosis is a progressive, non-infectious disease with symptoms that include itching, foot pain and swelling, making the skin on the affected limbs thicken with warty and mossy nodules. It is caused by persistent walking and working barefoot on volcanic soil.
During the visit, the premier met with some of the victims suffering from podoconiosis disease in Busiriba Sub-county and urged them to practice proper hygiene and sanitation as a measure to prevent the disease. She also advised them to seek medical attention as soon as they develop wounds due to advanced infection of the disease.
“You need to wear shoes and wash the feet well with clean water and soap after coming into contact with the soil,” Nabbanja advised.
The Premier gave financial relief to the victims to enable them to purchase supplies such as salt and detergent required for home care treatment of podoconiosis disease as advised by the health experts.
She also pledged to donate 1000 pairs of gumboots to cater for the 500 people infected with podoconiosis in Kamwenge District.
The Prime Minister urged the locals to embrace the Parish Development Model project aimed to enhance development at the grassroots and thanked them for electing responsible leaders who were able to highlight the health status and plight of the victims of podoconiosis disease in Kamwenge District.
The Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Kafuuzi Jackson pledged to support the leadership of Kamwenge District.
The Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama said the district roads will be rehabilitated to ease public transport and trade.
According to the District Health Officer of Kamwenge District, Dr Mucunguzi William, Podoconiosis is caused by persistent exposure to volcanic soils and is endemic in some parts of Kamwenge District, with the highest rate of 7.3% being experienced in Busiriba Sub-county.
He, however, noted that some podoconiosis victims have failed to seek medical attention due to the fear of stigma. He advised the infected people to continue using the supportive treatment which involves daily socking of the affected limbs in salty water and application of petroleum jelly. End.
