By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan government has developed a strategy to eliminate rabies disease by 2030, Agriculture ministry reported.
This was disclosed by the minister of state for agriculture, industry and fisheries (MAAIF), Lt Col. (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama Kanyantore while highlighting interventions by the government to control the wide spread of rabies disease at Uganda Media Centre today, September 26.
“Government has developed the ‘National Rabies Elimination Strategy (2022-2030)’ which will guide the country in the control efforts against rabies and eventual elimination by 2030,” he said.
The pronouncement comes few days to commemorate the World Rabies Day, 2023 due on September 28. The day is commemorated to honor Dr. Louis Pasteur for his ground breaking achievement in developing first rabies disease.
According to the minister, the strategy is premised on mass vaccination of animals like dogs, cats and humans, vaccination of veterinary and public health professionals at risk, mass awareness creation on rabies disease control and advocacy to ensure commitment to resources to end the disease.
Every year, Uganda spends more than 7 billion shillings to purchase anti-rabies treatment for humans and more than 1 billion shillings for procuring rabies vaccines for animals.
The disease is widely spread across the country with districts with higher cases including: Totoro, Busia, Bugiri, Namutumba, Serere , Soroti (East); Isingiro, Kyenjojo, Rubirizi, Kabale, Mbarara, Rakai (West); Masaka, Mukono, Butambala, Mityana ( Central) and Apac, Alebatong, Amudat, Madi-Okollo, Amur, Kween, Nabilatuk (North) among others.
Gomba district in Central Uganda is the host of the national celebrations on World Rabies Day 2023 in Uganda themed; “Rabies: All for 1. One health for all”
Minister Rwamirama said activities to commemorate the day are ongoing starting from September 25 to September 28. They include free mass vaccination of dogs and cats, mass awareness on radios among others
“MAAIF will provide rabies vaccines to all districts on request to conduct vaccination during the commemoration to World Rabies Day 2023,” said minister Rwamirama.
