Dr. Jane Aceng, the Health Minister, has stopped the giving out of special health gadgets in Lira City and the nearby district.
The devices, which total 3,707, were a gift from ReLAB-HS. This organization is running a five-year plan to help people with physical problems in poorer countries. These devices include things like white canes, wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, and arm supports. They are meant for children, young people, and elderly folks who need them at different health centers.
In Uganda, about 35.5% of people need assistive devices, but only 14.5% have them. That means around 12 million people in Uganda require these devices to help them live better.
On Saturday, the Minister stopped giving away these devices because she was worried that they might end up with the wrong people. She ordered that all the devices be kept in the City Health storage, and only one person will have the keys.
The Minister gave the district and city health officials three weeks to make sure the devices go to the right people.
The Chairperson of Lira, RCM Okello Orik, said that if the devices go to the right people, it will be a big help because these devices are costly.
Gerald Okello, who works for Re-LAB HS, said that with these assistive devices, people can live their lives more easily.
Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Health Services in charge of Public Health, said they are trying to get the government to reduce import taxes on assistive devices.
This Re-LAB HS project started about two years ago by giving out wheelchairs.
