The Minister of Health, Dr Ruth Jane Aceng has revealed that millions Shillings meant for the response towards the Nodding Syndrome that has killed over a hundred people in Northern Uganda for the last six years, remain unaccounted for.
According to the Minister of Health, government has released a total of Shs 1.8 billion to the 6 districts of Kitgum, Lamwo, Gulu, Pader, Amuru and Oyam and 2 Regional Referrals Hospitals of Gulu and Lira for the management of nodding syndrome over the years.
The funds were meant for fuel for the outreach vehicles, car maintenance, allowances for health workers for outreaches, community surveillance, search for those lost to follow up as well as provision of food in the case of Kitgum Hospital.
Dr Aceng however pointed out that; “Accountability for the funds has been poor with over Shs 237,396,000 unaccounted for”.
“Kitgum district is the biggest defaulter with over Shs 109,311,860 not accounted for, followed by Lamwo district,” the Minister said.
She said that the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and the other relevant officers in Kitgum and Lamwo who are responsible for receiving and appropriating the funds have not given accountability to that effect.
“We expect them to account on a Quarterly basis so that more money can be released, but it’s true we have had challenges and we have tried to follow up on accountability. Unfortunately, the problem stands,” the Health Minister told a news conference at the Ministry if Health headquarters in Kampala on Monday.
She was addressing journalists to explain government interventions towards the Nodding Syndrome following recent media stories that put government in the spotlight for its non action towards eliminating the mysterious killer disease.
In the current financial year, Shs 133 million was approved for the management of Nodding Syndrome and of this, Shs 73 million has already been processed for transfer to the beneficiary districts and facilities.
Asked what guarantees government has that these funds will not be misappropriated at the time when millions of money are not accounted for, Dr Aceng said that government finds itself in a difficult position where it can’t withdraw support towards patients that are severely ill.
“It is difficult to balance between taking care of the patients and not sending money. We have to provide for those that are severely malnourished and the outreach centres have to be supported too,” she said.
Dr Bernard Opar, the Focal Person for Nodding Syndrome in the Ministry of Health said that the unaccounted funds were released in the 2015/2016 financial year and were meant to train health workers in the two districts of Kitgum and Lamwor.
The red flags were triggered by an audit process.
Nodding syndrome, a severe neurological disorder that manifests as seizures, head nodding, cognitive impairment, multiple disabilities and affects children. The disease has killed a total of 137 people in Uganda since 2012.
Currently, there are over 2,000 cases in the districts of Pader, Kitgum, Lamwo, Gulu, Omoro, Amuru and Lira. As patients risk to lose their lives, government is yet to find a cure for the disease.