Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - September 16, 2003
Geresom Musamali
Under the national health policy, all patients in Uganda will soon have access to the drug.
Dr. Jacinta Amandra, the director of clinical services in the Ministry of Health, told journalists at the Hospice Africa premises in Makindye yesterday that over 6,000 patients had accessed the palliative (pain-relieving) drug since 1998, without getting addicted or having any side effects.
Amandra said 16 districts had access to the drugs but that the rest would get it as soon as expertise is established.
Morphine belongs to the same group of medicinal opiods as marijuana.
The International Narcotics Control Board monitors the trade and the use of the drugs.
In some countries, it is still a banned substance although the World Health Organisation recommends use of the opiods to relieve severe pain.
Some people object to its use because of cultural beliefs attached to opium.
Dr. Jack Jaggwe, the Hospice senior adviser on drugs, said the ministry had put in place very strict guidelines on which patients can access the narcotics.
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