On 11th October 2014, the District Health Officer of Ntoroko District Dr. Sentamu Simon appeared on HITS FM to give the performance of the health sector in Ntoroko District. “According to the Health Center IV level of Ntoroko District, we always make orders of medicine to National Medical Stores every after two months that is worth nine million and six hundred thousand (for Karugutu Health Center IV), four million for health center IIIs, and one million and five hundred thousand for health center IIs”. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’, a live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00-10:00) pm.
Members of Ntoroko Citizens Concern Advocacy Forum
During the program, Dr. Simon also indicated the challenges that cause drug stock outs in Ntoroko Health Centers. “Drug stock outs in Health Centers of Ntoroko District are always caused by challenges like delayed deliveries from the National Medical Stores, failure to deliver orders to National Medical Stores, the growing population that is becoming big for the delivered medicine most especially on particular diseases like malaria, poor management, among others”.
The panelist also indicated how the government is making different strategies to control malaria in the country. “We are working with the government to control the wide spread malaria in the country. We have undertaken strategies like supplying treated mosquito nets to different families, making sure that drugs are available in health centers, and also currently, the Ministry of Health is also sensitizing the local citizens on the use of sleeping under mosquito nets, and also using VHTs (Village Health Teams) to make sensitization in rural areas”.
Meanwhile, Dr, Simon warned the public against the new out breaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses. “The public should be aware of the newly out breaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses that can kill every eight of ten people. These viruses come from mammals like monkeys and spread so easily through contact with body fluids of the infected body. Signs of these viruses are red eyes, ousting of blood from body openings, high temperatures and vomiting. The public should therefore avoid things like hand shaking, and report any suspected case with such signs to health workers or police or leaders”.
Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussions through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “How can we prevent ebola?” asked a caller from Bundibugyo, “How can we prevent the Marburg virus?” asked Christopher from Kihondo Parish, “How many body cells have a human body”, asked a caller from Mabarara District.
The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported by SIDA/CIPESA and SPIDER/Stockholm University on a project aimed at using appropriate ICT tools to promote democratic engagement in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.