Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - September 12, 2007
Chris Ocowun
The Gulu district executive committee recently suspended the activities of the international NGO at Lalogi health centre. It was also operating at Atiak health centre in Amuru district.
The council accused MSF, which assists victims of the LordÆs Resistance Army war, of breaching the basic principles of partnership.
In a letter to the NGO last week, Mao said: "The district has received reports that the HIV/AIDS testing protocol you are carrying out differs from the one recommended by the ministry of health.
"In addition, we have received reports that you are not using drugs recommended by the ministry for TB treatment. Moreover, your drugs are introduced without informing the relevant authorities.
"Consequently, the effectiveness of these drugs is questionable. We donÆt want our people to be used as guinea pigs for testing drugs of an uncertain origin."
Mao said the directive was in line with the April local government policy which denounced the continued establishment of humanitarian facilities in the camps instead of the original villages where the displaced persons were returning.
"The disaster preparedness minister noted that this undermines the peace and resettlement process and called for stern action against agencies that defy this policy," Mao wrote.
MSF was also accused of drilling boreholes in the camps against the GovernmentÆs policy.
"Six boreholes which MSF-Spain drilled at Labora and Adak settlement sites are in total disregard of the decision of the district disaster management committee to avail safe water in the villages where the returnees are resettling and cultivating," wrote Mao.
He added: "Your actions and the lame excuses you give undermine the spirit of partnership based on ownership and participation by local communities." Mao also accused the NGO of resisting to work under the district disaster management committee.
"Accordingly, the district executive committee resolved that you be blacklisted and asked to cease your activities in Gulu. You will therefore cease all your activities in the district within two weeks from the date of this letter.
"The district directorate of health services is to ensure that you handover any records and equipments that belong to the district.
"You will not engage in any activity in Gulu and funders of your activities will be advised to channel any funds to organisations that adhere to good partnerships principles," the letter stated.
However, the UN Office of the commissioner for humanitarian assistance has offered to mediate in the dispute, in order to lifting the suspension. When contacted, an official of MSF-Spain declined comment on the matter.
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