- Summary:
- Dr. Juliet Nabbanja Katumba, the Assistant Commissioner of Oral Health at the Ministry, echoed the commitment to improving oral health standards nationwide, emphasizing collaborative efforts with partners.
KABALE: State Minister for Health (General Duties), Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, has  disclosed that 3.9 Billion people worldwide are suffering from tooth decay, a condition causing not only pain and discomfort but also disfigurement and, tragically, even death.
These alarming findings were unveiled in a speech delivered by Dr. Martin Ssendyona, the head of the healthcare quality department at the Ministry of Health, during the commemoration of World Oral Health Day. The event was hosted at the Kabale Region Referral Hospital in Kabale District, with the theme “A Happy Mouth is A Happy Body.”
Minister Kawooya shed light on various oral health challenges, including periodontal disease, which affects the tissues surrounding and supporting teeth, as well as edentulism, oral cancer, orodental trauma, noma, cleft lip, and palate, among other conditions that demand urgent attention.
Highlighting a recent survey conducted in Uganda, Minister Kawooya emphasized that 75% of tooth decay cases have been reported among adults. She issued a cautionary note to parents, urging them to monitor and regulate their children’s consumption of syrups and sugary foods to prevent tooth decay.
CUE IN MINISTER KAWOOYA…..ON ORAL DISEASES….ENG//
In addressing the root causes of oral diseases, Minister Kawooya attributed them to various factors such as smoking, HIV/AIDS infections, and injuries resulting from fights, accidents, and domestic violence. In response, she announced the forthcoming development of a policy framework by the Ministry of Health, aimed at implementing comprehensive oral health prevention strategies targeting children and schools across Uganda.
CUE IN MINISTER KAWOOYA….ON POLICY FRAMEWORK…..ENG//
Dr. Juliet Nabbanja Katumba, the Assistant Commissioner of Oral Health at the Ministry, echoed the commitment to improving oral health standards nationwide, emphasizing collaborative efforts with partners. Dr. Nabbanja also announced that Masaka District would host the next World Oral Health Day celebrations.
