First National Schistosomiasis Control Programme is launched in Uganda

The first national programme to tackle schistosomiasis (bilharzia) in sub-Saharan Africa is launched in Uganda by the Deputy Prime Minister, Brigadier Moses Ali.

The Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Brigadier Moses Ali with village elders.

The Ugandan Bilharzia and Worm Control Programme was officially launched on March 4th 2003 in Pakwach, Jonam County, Nebbi, a region particularly affected by schistosomiasis. The Deputy Prime Minister, Brigadier Moses Ali represented the President, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The ceremony was attended by several ministers plus officials from the Ugandan Central Government, and Eight Districts all endemic for schistosomiasis. From overseas there were guests from the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) Imperial College London, the African Regional Office of the World Health Organisation, the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory (DBL), and Save the Children.

The guests were greeted by a procession of schoolchildren.

There was music and dancing too!

A convoy of vehicles drove the 400 km from Kampala on the Monday, and on Tuesday morning, three aircraft flew in with 45 ‘VIP’ guests. On arrival at Pakwach, ministers and guests were greeted by a lively procession of local school children and community members, accompanied by a musical fanfare from a trumpet and drum band. This was followed by dancing and entertainment, including an animated poem about schistosomiasis performed by local children. Exhibition stalls had been set up, providing educational material and information on schistosomiasis control and other health issues such as lymphatic filariasis, sexual health and guinea Worm eradication. Guests were shown examples of health education materials, and looked down field microscopes to identify common parasites or eggs. They learned about transmission and control of common vector borne diseases and saw how the present initiative fits into a coherent scheme of health education and control programmes in Uganda.

Hon. Fred Omach, MP for Nebbi, Brig. Jim Muhwezi, Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister, Brigadier Moses Ali (left to right)

The guests then heard speeches from the Hon. Fred Omach, MP for Nebbi, the LCS (Director) of Nebbi District, Dr Narcis Kabatereine, the National Coordinator for the Bilharzia and Worm Control Program; Dr O. Walker the WHO WR for Uganda, Dr Alan Fenwick, Director of SCI, Dr Pascal Magnussen of DBL, and Hon. Brig. Jim Muhwezi, Minister of Health. The final speech was given by the Hon. Brig. Moses Ali the Deputy Prime Minister.

Dr Fenwick read a greeting from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and then described schistosomiasis in Uganda as “a supreme example of a disease suffered by the poorest of the poor” and commented that “in creating a successful prevention and treatment programme that can be emulated in countries round the world, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative has an opportunity to make a major impact in the fight against schistosomiasis worldwide.” He stated his hope that the success of this programme will improve nutrition and health in children, prolong life-expectancy among those affected and prevent unnecessary suffering and disability.

The Ugandan field team.

Dr Kabatereine described the impact of schistosomiasis in Uganda and reviewed the progress that has been made in tackling the disease to date. He thanked the donors, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and welcomed the availability of affordable drugs, which has enabled a mass treatment programme to be realised. He then described the Bilharzia and Worm Control Programme, which will involve 4-5 years of mass treatment using donated drug supplies, followed by a sustained effort by the Ugandan government to take over and continue the control programme. The national programme will be implemented by the Ugandan Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Vector Control Division, the SCI at Imperial College, London and other NGOs.

Image (right): The Honourable Brigadier Moses Ali treating children against schistosomiasis and intestinal helminths.

In an appropriate finale to the official launch, several children were treated against schistosomiasis and intestinal helminths (using praziquantel and albendazole respectively) by the Brig. Moses Ali, to demonstrate how easy treatment can be. Brig Moses then handed over cartons of drugs to the Director of Health Services of eight districts; Arua, Adjumani, Gulu, Hoima, Moyo, Masindi, Nebbi and Wakiso. Each of these districts received sufficient drug to treat 30,000 people. Drugs will soon be collected from the National medical Stores by ten more districts. It is envisaged that within a year at least one million infected and at risk individuals in Uganda will receive treatment.

Finally, Dr Fenwick emphasised that this programme belongs to the Ugandan people, and expressed hope that the level of support shown at the launch, from the politicians, NGO’s, local and religious leaders, teachers and community members will help the programme get off to flying start and contribute to its success.

Download the PowerPoint slideshow of the launch event (7Mb)