MPs want Ministry of Health to tackle food contamination using research

Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Committees on Health and Agriculture have tasked the Ministry of Health to tackle food contamination using available research.

While interacting with Margaret Muhanga, the Minister of State for Health in Charge of Primary Health Care, legislators called for synergies with the Ministry of Agriculture to curb the spread of aflatoxins in food produce.

“There is a need to standardize the testing algorithm for aflatoxins. The Ministry of Health and that of Agriculture should work together to facilitate the work done by researchers,” said Julius Karuhanga (Indep., Rwampara East County).

Chairing the Committee, Samuel Opio noted that little action has been taken to prevent and manage aflatoxins despite the wide range of research done on the subject.

“What are the health sector plans to manage issues like liver cancer that has been attributed to aflatoxin poisoning? Do we have the capacity to test for aflatoxin levels in blood samples?” Opio asked.

Muhanga noted that 48 to 56 of the new cases of liver cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute result from aflatoxin exposure and said food safety education can reduce the disease burden.

She however, observed that despite the deployment of extension workers, inspectors and Village Health Teams across the country, they are not known by farmers.

“These officials are supposed to give key information to locals but they do not show up at their workstations. We need to speak to our local government leaders to monitor these people,” Muhanga added.

MPs also urged government to develop targeted messages on management of aflatoxins through intensified campaigns, including messages in local languages.

“Can you come up with a plan to publicise information on aflatoxins just like you do for other diseases like malaria, because we have not heard it on our radios and other media,” said Mary Begumisa (NRM, Ssembabule District Woman Representative).

Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director Curative Services at Ministry of Health said a handbook on aflatoxins management for extension workers has been developed for better information dissemination.

Muhanga added that enhancing food system safety education, awareness and communication among stakeholders like consumers, producers, processors, retailers and regulators will improve aflatoxin management.