MICHAEL N
Ntungamo District LC5 councilors have tasked the district top authorities to give a clear report on the wrong deworming vaccine that was administered to pupils of Kajumbajumba Primary School in Rugarama North, Rushenyi.
Dan Nabimanya, the Speaker of Ntungamo District Council, chaired the council meeting where Denis Muhumuza, also known as Gen. Savimbi, the LC5 Councilor for Itojo Sub County, moved a motion seeking a report from the health department about the incident that happened on Thursday, 30th October. Over 100 pupils were reportedly given a wrong drug called Phenobarbitone, meant to treat epilepsy, instead of Albendazole, which is used for deworming.
Emily Atuzariwe Atuhaire, the LC5 Councilor for Nyabihoko Sub County and Rwashamaire Town Council, expressed dissatisfaction with how such a thing could happen, noting that since the incident, no efforts have been made to secure the pupils’ lives. She demanded that the Ntungamo District DHO, LC5 Chairperson, CAO, and those involved in signing for the medicine step aside from office as investigations continue.
Naboth Mpiridwe, the LC5 Councilor for Ntungamo Sub County, revealed that the health department has been tasked to visit every household in Rugarama North Sub County where pupils were administered the wrong vaccine, to ensure they are taken to hospital and receive medical care until they fully recover, in case of any side effects.
Mwesigye Chrispus Mwesigwa, the LC5 Councillor for Rubaare Town Council, highlighted the resolutions the council has made to address the impact of the wrong medicine on the pupils. He said administering a wrong vaccine shows that some civil servants employed within the district are not qualified.
Kiza Fedelis, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ntungamo District, acknowledged that the Commissioner for the Ministry of Health, together with the RDC and other non-governmental organizations under the ministry, spent the whole day in Rugarama North Sub County laying strategies to ensure the pupils’ safety, including taking care of them for up to six months.
Other matters discussed during the council meeting included transforming Rushooka HC IV into a hospital since it has already secured sponsors to facilitate its services. The council also denied a request from local leaders who were demanding the division of some parishes and sub-counties, as well as turning Rubaare Town Council into a municipality. They stated that this will only happen when the district is divided into three more districts — Rushenyi and Kajara.
