By KT Reporter
Leaders in West Nile have renewed the fight against malaria by walking several kilometres in Arua to create awareness. This comes after the government launched the malaria vaccine countrywide to reduce the cases, especially among children under five years of age.
Uganda remains a high-burden malaria Country, with over 90% of its population at risk of infection, pregnant women and children under five being the most vulnerable. According to health officials, West Nile is the worst hit by malaria, with a mortality rate standing at 79.5%, far above the national average of 52%, followed by Eastern Uganda.
During the Malaria awareness walk in Arua City on Thursday, Eva Kagona, the Programs Manager at Malaria Partners Uganda, called for behavioral change as a crucial step in the fight against the killer disease, adding that families in West Nile should put collective effort to eliminate Malaria from the Country.
Benard Amaga, the Health Educator for Arua City, appealed to parents to take their children for Malaria vaccination and ensure that mosquito breeding sites around their homes are cleared, and families should sleep under mosquito nets.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peace Eyotaru Oliver, the acting District Health Officer, Arua, called on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against Malaria by participating in all the activities in this month of Integrated Child Health Days.
Sauda Ropani, the Executive Director of Partners in Development and the Center for Holistic Transformation (PICOT), one of the partners that is implementing a community approach to Malaria prevention, encouraged development partners to increase community sensitization on Malaria prevention.
Meanwhile, Ismail Tuku, the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari Cultural Institution, pledged the institution’s commitment to incorporating Malaria sensitization into their community programs.
According to research conducted in 2022, Uganda had the third-highest global burden of malaria cases at 5.1%, and the eighth-highest number of malaria-related deaths at 2.9%.
This year’s Walk against Malaria was held under the theme: ‘No Child should die of Malaria’, supported by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
