The experts who included Dr. Sylvester Onzivua, a consultant pathologist at Mulago Hospital and Prof. Michael Pollanen, a pathologist at the University of Toronto appeared before the Committee on Health, where they presented preliminary findings on a study by Prof. Pollanen on the nodding syndrome disease in Kitgum district.
"The early epidemiological studies showed clearly that there is a relationship between the disease and the Lord's Resistance Army insurgency, but we do not know what aspects of the war are responsible?" said Prof. Pollanen adding,"We are asking: was there any environmental challenges; were there any effects on the water due to the war that affected people?"
"This disease can be studied. For example, one can make a detailed profile of the 5,000 cases. We also need clinical studies for those living with the disease to monitor how the disease is progressing," he said.