By KT Reporter
Malaria continues to pose a significant threat in Katakwi and Kapelebyong districts, despite government efforts to distribute treated mosquito nets across the country as a preventive measure.
According to Christine Atim, Assistant Health Officer for Katakwi District, malaria remains the leading cause of illness in the area, with about 50% of patients visiting health facilities testing positive.
Statistics from the health department show that out of every ten patients received at OPDs and tested for malaria, five to six turn out positive.
Atim noted that children under five and pregnant women are the most affected groups. She urged communities to take preventive steps such as clearing bushes around homes and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
She also appealed to government to continue with universal mosquito net distribution, saying the nets given out in 2023 have already worn out.
Village Health Team (VHT) members at Alito Health Centre III in Kapelebyong District—Vickey Adong, Racheal Makadi, and Simon Okello—also appealed for the reintroduction of mass net distribution, particularly to protect pregnant women and children.
Recently, at the launch of a biolarvicide program in Katakwi, Dr. Alfred Mubangizi, Assistant Commissioner for Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, emphasized government’s commitment to disease prevention and public health.
He said malaria continues to cause suffering, income loss, disabilities, and even death, yet it is preventable.
Dr. Mubangizi stressed that mosquito control is crucial, describing larviciding as a promising technique to stop mosquito breeding before they develop into adult vectors. He also encouraged the public to test for malaria before treatment, in line with government policy.
Uganda remains committed to malaria elimination in line with Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV.
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