AS UGANDA OBSERVES THE WORLD MALARIA DAY 25th APRIL

The question one would ask as Uganda joins the world in celebrating the Malaria day, some of us are concerned about the promised millions of free mosquito nets which are supposed to be distributed to all the people of Uganda.  I last heard about these nets when they were being distributed to people of Mpigi and Mukono districts, however, I have not seen the distribution take off in Wakiso district and I believe it is the same in some other parts of the country.  Government has yet to issue a statement on this development.

It is a proven fact that Mosquito nets greatly help in the reduction of Malaria more so that got while one is asleep.  The problem however is that many beneficiaries have a problem of properly utilizing them given the housing and bedding set up.  In some of these households, the families use ‘munaku tadoobba,’ the paraffin candles.  These have been a cause of accidents in homes given that the nets are greatly inflammable.

If incidences of Malaria can greatly be reduced in Uganda, chances are that the expenditure on drugs to treat Malaria fever will greatly be cut as well as deaths due to Malaria.

World Malaria Day, 25 April 2014

Invest in the future. Defeat malaria

Global efforts to control and eliminate malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 42% globally and 49% in Africa. Increased political commitment and expanded funding have helped to reduce malaria incidence by 25% globally, and 31% in Africa.

  

WHO/S. Hollyman

But we are not there yet. Malaria still kills an estimated 627 000 people every year, mainly children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2013, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission.

Every year, more than 200 million cases occur; most of these cases are never tested or registered. Emerging drug and insecticide resistance threaten to reverse recent gains.

If the world is to maintain and accelerate progress against malaria, in line with Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, and to ensure attainment of MDGs 4 and 5, more funds are urgently required.

The theme for 2014 and 2015 is: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria

Goal: energize commitment to fight malaria

World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It is also an opportunity:

• for countries in affected regions to learn from each other's experiences and support each other's efforts;
• for new donors to join a global partnership against malaria;
• for research and academic institutions to flag scientific advances to both experts and the general public; and
• for international partners, companies and foundations to showcase their efforts and reflect on how to further scale up interventions.