uLawmakers and health experts in Uganda have called for new strategies to combat malaria as the country observed World Malaria Day. At the national celebration in Bugiri District, the Ministry of Health launched another round of mosquito net distribution to prevent the disease.
The campaign will see 28.5 million mosquito nets distributed countrywide, with 17 districts receiving nets under the first wave to tackle the ongoing malaria epidemic. Uganda loses Shs2.4 trillion annually due to malaria, and the disease kills an average of 52 people daily in the country, according to Mr Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
The monetary loss is mainly attributed to treatment costs, work time lost during treatment and recovery, and attendants of patients also losing work time. The Deputy Manager for the Malaria Control Programme at the Health Ministry, Dr Catherine Maiteki, disclosed that the country will introduce the malaria vaccine next year, in addition to strategies such as the use of bed nets.
The Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) will fund 1 million doses of malaria vaccines for the country’s first round of malaria vaccination. Uganda is ranked third in Africa in terms of malaria disease burden, right behind Nigeria and DR Congo, and fifth globally in terms of deaths. Malaria accounts for over 40% of visits at health facilities, 30% of admissions, and 20% of deaths in facilities.
Karamoja, West Nile, Busoga, Acholi, and Lango sub-regions are among the most affected areas. Despite spending over Shs596 billion annually to fight the disease, the disease burden has remained high in the country.
The Health Minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, called for more resources and energies to be focused on health promotion and disease prevention, especially in the malaria programme.
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