Local District Leaders in Kaberamaido and Dokolo resolve to support SOS approach

After visiting the Lwala hospital facilities, a meeting of all stakeholders was held in one of the halls of the hospital. After discussions that lasted for over three hours, an important resolution was made rooting the SOS activities more firmly within the community with support of the leaders.

The District Resident commissioner (RDC) for Kaberamaido district Mr. Eseru read out the resolution to those there present which stated: "The stakeholders seated here at Lwala today the 15^th January, 2010 resolve to support the SOS approach to the control of sleeping sickness and we request the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries as well as Makerere University to deploy the students to treat and spray the cattle immediately". The Local Council District (LCD) Chairman for Kaberamaido supported the resolution.

In his closing remarks, the LCD chairman further encouraged all the other local leaders to communicate directly and through their staff to all people in their respective communities to bring their cattle for treatment and spraying. This was the strongest public support by the chairman since the start of the SOS activities and is thought to be a big pillar in moving towards efficient control of sleeping sickness in this area. The LCD chairman also suggested that the district councils of Dokolo and Kaberamaido should hold a joint meeting to discuss the best way to work with the SOS team and approach to promote the control activities.

Stakeholder meeting on control of sleeping sickness in Lwala hospital.