The Democratic Party (DP) has urged the government to carry out more public awareness on the Monkey Pox (Mpox) infection so that the public can take precaution and detect signs.

During the party’s weekly press release on August 6, 2024, at the party headquarters in Balintumwa, Kampala, the party chairman for Nakawa constituency, Charles Cannel Musanyusa, noted that the government has less public awareness of the outbreak of the Mpox diseases, stating that it may be too late in case the infection numbers increase.

“We should not be caught off guard like during the COVID-19 outbreak by not raising full public awareness about the disease. The public should be taught the early signs of the infection and what they should do to avoid contracting the infection,” he noted.

Musanyusa added that there is an urgent need for the government to invest in the health sector to be able to research various infections and be able to curb them at their alpha, noting that it saves the government from high expenditures and saves the lives of the citizens.

“More funds should be injected into the health sector to educate and train more doctors on these infectious diseases. This helps in combating and reducing the spread of infections, which helps in saving lives,” he added.

He also called for strengthened collaboration between the country and its neighbours in the fight against the infection, stating that it can help control the further spread of the infection.

“Our government should work hand in hand with neighbouring governments to come up with measures to avoid the spread of the infection,” he added.

On August 2, 2024, the Ministry of Health confirmed two individuals tested positive for Mpox, a viral disease known as monkey pox.