Anti-malaria campaign gains momentum in West Nile

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Hundreds of people in Uganda's northern city of Arua took part in the third edition of the Walk Against Malaria.

Organized by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria, the campaign aims to raise awareness, gather resources, and encourage community involvement in the battle against malaria.

Malaria remains a significant public health issue in Uganda.

It is responsible for 30-40 percent of outpatient visits, 15-20 percent of hospital admissions, and 10-15percent of hospital deaths.

Stakeholders in Uganda's northern city of Arua took part in the third edition of the Walk Against Malaria. (Photo by Robert Adiga)

Globally in 2023, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 malaria deaths in 83 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The majority of the cases are registered in Africa, with children being the most affected demographic.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.

Ongoing efforts to combat the disease include distributing insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women.

However, challenges including insufficient funding, limited healthcare access, climate change, and drug resistance continue to impede progress.

It is hoped interventions such the Walk Against Malaria are key.

Sponsored by local partners and institutions, the Arua city edition attracted participants from schools, civil society as well as business and cultural communities.

Dr Peace Oliver Eyotaru, Arua's acting district health officer, commended the supporters of the campaign and tasked the public with embracing the new malaria vaccine.

She said the uptake of the new WHO-recommended vaccine — R21/Matrix-M — has picked in most districts of West Nile region.

Manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, this new vaccine guards against severe forms of malaria among children.

West Nile is one of the regions worst hit by malaria, registering a 79.5 percent mortality rate of children aged under five.

Pupils in Uganda's northern city of Arua took part in the third edition of the Walk Against Malaria. (Photo by Robert Adiga)

Eva Kagona, the programme manager Malaria Partners Uganda, said their major area of focus is preventing malaria in schools due to high absenteeism and socio-economic challenges at community level.

Kagona is optimistic that with the increased momentum, the key challenge of underfunding can be addressed.

Fred Ouma Okumu, the manager Red Cross West Nile — a partner in the walk —  said it is their mandate to save the lives of the people in the region as they also advocate for increased blood donation to rescue malaria victims.

Ismail Tuku, the prime minister of the Lugbara Cultural Institution, underlined their commitment to being at the forefront of raising awareness against malaria.

The students were took part in the walk said they are eager to share the anti-malaria messages with their peers.