HON. ALENYO RAISES ALARM OVER BILHARZIA OUTBREAK IN PAKWACH, CALLS FOR URGENT HEALTH INTERVENTION

By Oringi Denis | AfricaPamoja-UG

PAKWACH DISTRICT, UGANDA — Jonam County Member of Parliament Hon. Marshall Godfrey Alenyo has called on the Ministry of Health to urgently intervene in the reported increase in Bilharzia cases and related deaths in Pakwach District, raising concerns over the disease burden affecting communities in the West Nile sub-region.

Speaking during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Alenyo told Parliament that communities in Panyimur, Pakwach Sub-county and Dei Sub-county were among the areas reportedly experiencing a high burden of the disease.

According to the legislator, more than 35 people had reportedly died over the preceding six months. He urged the Ministry of Health to dispatch a specialised team to assess the situation, establish the extent of the reported outbreak and support local health authorities in responding to the public health concerns.

Alenyo further claimed that seven out of every ten patients seeking treatment at health facilities in Pakwach tested positive for Bilharzia, underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation into the reported prevalence.

However, the figures cited in Parliament require verification by the relevant health authorities to establish the actual number of infections, deaths and affected communities.

Historical Significance of Bilharzia in West Nile

During his presentation, Alenyo highlighted the historical connection between Bilharzia and the West Nile region, noting that the first case in the region was detected at Kuluva Hospital in 1902.

He also recognised the contribution of the late Professor Ongom, a native of Jonam in Pakwach, whose work focused on Bilharzia.

The MP said the disease continued to cause concern among residents, particularly during the rainy season, when changing environmental conditions and increased exposure to potentially contaminated freshwater may heighten the risk of infection.

He also described the distress experienced by families who report deaths in their communities, noting that some residents use the local expression “Ngati ongogu Rimu” when discussing their fears surrounding the disease.

His remarks highlighted the need for stronger public awareness, reliable disease surveillance and improved access to medical services.

Alenyo Pushes for Specialised Treatment Facilities

Beyond requesting an immediate response, Alenyo called for improvements to health infrastructure in the affected communities.

He asked the Ministry of Health to consider upgrading selected Health Centre IIIs to Health Centre IV level, subject to assessment of local needs, to strengthen diagnostic capacity and improve access to treatment.

The legislator also renewed calls for Pakwach Health Centre IV to be upgraded to a district hospital with specialised capacity to manage Bilharzia and other related health complications.

He proposed that the facility be named after the late Professor Ongom in recognition of his contribution to efforts against the disease.

According to Alenyo, establishing a better-equipped treatment facility in Pakwach would reduce the difficulties residents face when seeking appropriate medical attention and could improve healthcare access for surrounding communities.

He also acknowledged the contribution of former Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng to previous efforts addressing Bilharzia in the region, urging the current Ministry of Health leadership to build on earlier interventions.

Health Minister Pledges Follow-Up

Responding to the concerns raised in Parliament, Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi acknowledged the seriousness of the issues presented by the Jonam County legislator.

“The justification is strong. What is urgent is to address those cases of Bilharzia,” Baryomunsi said, while conveying condolences to families who had lost loved ones.

The minister said he would consult the Ministry of Health team to establish whether a response team had already been dispatched to Pakwach District.

He pledged that, if no team had been deployed, the ministry would send personnel to support district health services in assessing the situation and addressing the reported increase in cases.

Baryomunsi also pointed to community education and the provision of treatment for affected patients as important components of the response.

The minister's commitment signals the possibility of further government intervention. However, the deployment of a response team and the proposed health facility upgrades will require confirmation and follow-up action.

Understanding Bilharzia and Its Public Health Risks

Bilharzia, medically known as schistosomiasis, is a parasitic disease associated with contact with freshwater containing infectious stages of parasitic worms.

People can become infected when their skin comes into contact with contaminated freshwater. The disease can affect different organs and cause serious complications when infections persist without appropriate treatment.

Prevention and control measures include early diagnosis, access to effective treatment, public health education, improved sanitation and measures to reduce exposure to contaminated freshwater.

In affected communities, health authorities also need reliable surveillance systems to identify infection patterns, investigate reported deaths and determine which interventions will have the greatest impact.

Pakwach Awaits Concrete Action

The concerns raised by Alenyo have placed the health situation in Pakwach District before the national Parliament, with renewed attention on the availability of treatment, the capacity of local health facilities and the need for preventive interventions.

For residents of Panyimur, Pakwach Sub-county and Dei Sub-county, the immediate priority is to ensure that suspected cases receive timely medical assessment and that the reported deaths and infection figures are investigated by qualified health authorities.

The Ministry of Health's promised follow-up will be crucial in determining the scale of the reported problem and identifying the resources required to support district health services.

Whether through the deployment of a response team, strengthened community education or investment in specialised treatment facilities, the effectiveness of the response will ultimately depend on translating parliamentary concerns into practical public health action.

For now, residents and local leaders await further clarification from the Ministry of Health on the reported cases, the status of any planned intervention and the long-term measures intended to reduce the burden of Bilharzia in Pakwach District.

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