Kisoro Health Officials Urge VHTs to Combat Mpox and Anthrax

The Kisoro district Health Officer, Stephen Nsabimana, has urged Village Health Teams (VHTs) from Kisoro Municipality to collaborate with health authorities and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) within their communities to control Mpox.
This message was delivered during a VHT coordination meeting held at Tourist Hotel in Kisoro Municipality, funded by the Kisoro Municipality hopeful, Emmanuel Maniraguha.
Nsabimana called upon the VHTs to create awareness about the causes, signs, and symptoms of Mpox, as they play a vital role in controlling the disease in rural communities. He commended VHTs for their efforts in identifying and reporting suspected cases, providing health education and awareness, administering vaccines and treatments, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and providing psychosocial support.
Nsabimana further called upon VHTs to inform people about the outbreak of anthrax in Kanungu district, which has already claimed one life.
Mubanjizi Valentine, the Kisoro district health educator, urged VHTs to implement hygiene and sanitation measures within their communities to control outbreaks of cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, and Mpox, which has claimed three lives in Uganda.
Alex Habyarimana, the VHT of Gatovu, Gasiza ward, Southern Division, Kisoro Municipality, called upon health authorities to acknowledge the work done by VHTs and strengthen health systems, improve data quality and surveillance, enhance community participation, and ensure increased access to healthcare services.
Meanwhile, the Kisoro Municipality hopeful, Emmanuel Maniraguha, pledged to fund mass deworming for all residents within Kisoro Municipality. He acknowledged the work done by the VHTs and urged them to unite and cooperate with him for better service delivery.