Ugandan government announces $3M plan to fight nodding disease

"The growing threat of nodding disease and increased pressure for action has spurred the Ugandan government to announce a $3 million (USD) plan to address the mystery illness," Global Health Frontline News reports, adding, "Initial funds will be used to set up screening centers and treat those affected in Pader, Kitgum, and Lamwo districts in northern Uganda as early as this month."

Richard Nduhura, state minister for health, "says some of the funds have been reallocated from other programs in the Ministry of Health budget and that the rest will come from 'other government and partner agencies,'" according to the news service. Nodding disease "first appeared in small pockets of northern Uganda in 2003 and has gradually claimed more victims," GHFN notes, adding, "Official figures place the number killed at 170, with more than 3,000 suffering from the mystery illness" (Lindsay, 2/10).