By MWEBEMBEZI FRED IN FORT PORTAL–
The state minister for Health, Hon. Sarah Opendi vows to deal with traditional healers if the bill that was tabled to parliament to govern the works of traditional healers is passed. Hon. Opendi was speaking at the national sickle cells’ commemoration function that was held in Bundibugyo district at Bundibugyo hospital premises yesterday.
The minister said many diseases have claimed people’s lives due to some traditional healers claiming that they heal every disease including sickle cells. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by recurrent pain. She said as per now, sickle cell disease in Uganda has no cure but control since its treatment is very expensive
The minister gave Bundibudyo district a screening clinic at Bundibugyo hospital which will be helping unmarried people in the area to know their status before marriage. Charlis Kisembo the district heath officer Bundibugyo said, the disease takes 20% of the population of the district. He added that district health facilities could not offer testing services on the disease due to lack equipment
The function was also attended by the state minister for agriculture Hon. Christopher Kibanzanga, Woman MP Bundibugyo Hon. Josephine Babungi, district chairperson Bundibudyo Mutegeki Geoffrey and representative of WHO among others.